Woman Wins Asbestos Suit

Article Added November 7th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

A woman in Mississippi has won a lawsuit against four Georgia-based companies over second hand asbestos exposure. The suit is unusual considering the parties settle outside of court on a second hand exposure suit.

Patsy Bodkin thought nothing of washing her father and brother’s work clothes when they got home from a long day. Unfortunately, the clothes were covered in asbestos dust, causing Bodkin to develop mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer linked to asbestos exposure. When diagnosed, Bodkin was told she probably had just a few years to live, and that there was no cure for the cancer. The woman decided to sue four companies based in Georgia that were affiliated with her father and brother’s work, including Georgia giant Georgia-Pacific Corp.

Settling asbestos cases are not unheard of, although it is much harder for a second hand case to be settled outside of court. It is usually harder for a plaintiff to prove that their diseases are related to second hand asbestos exposure, but in this particular case all parties involved agreed to the settlement. Since asbestos cases have been more in the spotlight over the past few years, one of the companies explained that potential jury sympathy made up their mind for them.

Article Added November 7th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story