Tire and rubber manufacturing giant Goodyear is set to face a jury over asbestos litigation filed by a carpenter and home renovation worker who has since died from mesothelioma he alleged was caused by asbestos exposure.

The deceased plaintiff, Peter K., worked for decades as a flooring installer, carpenter and home renovator. In September 2017, Peter was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a type of cancer commonly associated with asbestos exposure. He shortly thereafter filed a mesothelioma lawsuit. Unfortunately, just a year and a day after his diagnosis, Peter died from the disease.

Peter’s lawsuit alleges that during his decades-long career, he worked with Goodyear vinyl floor tiles that contained asbestos. He claimed that working around these floor tiles caused him to inhale dangerous asbestos fibers.

Goodyear has maintained that its vinyl tile did not contain asbestos, and a corporate representative who worked for Goodyear between 1968 and 1979 testified to this effect. But testimony from a Goodyear floor tile development engineer that had been offered as evidence in a separate asbestos litigation stated that between 1954 and 1975, Goodyear’s floor tile did contain asbestos—and even after that date, certain special orders still contained the dangerous substance. Other Goodyear employees offered similar testimony.

Goodyear filed a motion for summary judgment in an attempt to avoid a trial, but Judge Manual J. Mendez denied the motion, saying that given the mounds of evidence, it should be considered by a jury.

Basics of Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral found in rocks and soil. For decades, asbestos was commonly used in manufacturing, from construction materials to auto parts and more. Even though it is a naturally occurring substance, asbestos is actually quite dangerous—it has been classified as a known carcinogen, or substance capable of causing cancer. The American Cancer Society explains that asbestos fibers can enter your lungs and build up there, leading to serious health complications, including mesothelioma cancer.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a dangerous and potentially fatal form of cancer that has been linked with asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma doesn’t appear immediately. In fact, it can take up to 20 years after asbestos exposure for symptoms of the disease to emerge.

Filing Asbestos Litigation

A growing number of people are turning to litigation after diagnosis with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, filing against employers that negligently allowed the exposure and manufacturers that failed to warn about the risks of asbestos contained in its products, among others.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, you may be able to file asbestos litigation and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by a mesothelioma diagnosis, nor can it bring a loved one back to life, but it can at least help to alleviate the financial burden incurred by medical expenses, lost wages, and more.

Filing a lawsuit can be a daunting prospect, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.