“He contacted mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer that doctors said he contracted by breathing billions of asbestos fibers while working at the shipyard.”
“Minton’s attorney, Bobby Hatten, said Minton has a life expectancy of about two more years and faces a painful death. Both of Minton’s lungs were removed and cleared of cancer material, then replaced, in 2009, Hatten said.”
Reaper, what more evidence do you need? It is a fact that asbestos causes mesotheleoma. Doesn’t say if the cancer metastasized or not, but even if it didn’t, the removal of TWO lungs would warrant the award in itself.
I never questioned the disease or the suffering. Did the plaintiff just work on ships for Exxon all those years? I don’t think so. It was mentioned in the article “the Navy is immune from being sued.” Since you can’t go after the government go after Exxon. That was my only point. Of course, the story never mentions if the victim smoked.
Oops….my bad. Sorry, Reaper…didn’t read the last two sentences. You do have a point regarding the navy shipyards. However, there must have been overwhelming evidence that he worked most of his life at Exxon or if he even smoked. I don’t think mesotheleoma would be caused by cigarertte smoking, however, I agree that smoking can make the lungs more susceptible to disease.
Interesting….I would like to know more on this topic….
It is an all too common tactic to skip over the smaller companies(or in this case, the government) who may be at fault and go straight for the big guys with the large sums of money to pay out. That is when you have to question the victim’s motive – is it truly justice or change that he desires?
Ahawk, agreed…but I would like to think it would be justice due to the fact that he lost not one, but both of his lungs to the disease…as I stated before, there must have been some overwhelming evidence that Exxon contributed to his condition. I really tend to beleive that juries are savvier now more so than they have ever been.
There is definitely sympathy – what a horrible thing to happen – just not sure about the justice though. Can not judge because I haven’t heard the evidence.
I guess I’m confused: Minton’s attorney, Bobby Hatten, said Minton has a life expectancy of about two more years and faces a painful death. Both of Minton’s lungs were removed and cleared of cancer material, then replaced, in 2009, Hatten said.
His lungs were removed and cleared of cancer material then replaced. If they were cleared of cancer material, does he still have cancer now? Why does he face a 2 year life expectancey if cleared?
I think I’m missing part of the story.
I know I hate the headline: man “WINS $25M”, as in winning in the Lawyer Lottery.
Like pollution claims, the chain of defendents in asbestosis claims can go on and on. As like pollution claims it’s all long term manifestation. The cure for such claims are well established in both law and in the insurance industry. This is a large award against Exxon which may set some presidence for the $ amount for a single plaintiff and will no doubt be appealed. Exxon, as basically a self insured organization via a captive for many years, will put up a fight on this because if they become a target based on this verdict, it could be a world of financial hurt for them.
Don’t establish concrete evidence of fault just go after those who are most villified in the public arena and who happen to have the deepest pockets.
Exactly! Lawsuit abuse has got to stop!
“He contacted mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer that doctors said he contracted by breathing billions of asbestos fibers while working at the shipyard.”
“Minton’s attorney, Bobby Hatten, said Minton has a life expectancy of about two more years and faces a painful death. Both of Minton’s lungs were removed and cleared of cancer material, then replaced, in 2009, Hatten said.”
Reaper, what more evidence do you need? It is a fact that asbestos causes mesotheleoma. Doesn’t say if the cancer metastasized or not, but even if it didn’t, the removal of TWO lungs would warrant the award in itself.
I never questioned the disease or the suffering. Did the plaintiff just work on ships for Exxon all those years? I don’t think so. It was mentioned in the article “the Navy is immune from being sued.” Since you can’t go after the government go after Exxon. That was my only point. Of course, the story never mentions if the victim smoked.
Oops….my bad. Sorry, Reaper…didn’t read the last two sentences. You do have a point regarding the navy shipyards. However, there must have been overwhelming evidence that he worked most of his life at Exxon or if he even smoked. I don’t think mesotheleoma would be caused by cigarertte smoking, however, I agree that smoking can make the lungs more susceptible to disease.
Interesting….I would like to know more on this topic….
It is an all too common tactic to skip over the smaller companies(or in this case, the government) who may be at fault and go straight for the big guys with the large sums of money to pay out. That is when you have to question the victim’s motive – is it truly justice or change that he desires?
Ahawk, agreed…but I would like to think it would be justice due to the fact that he lost not one, but both of his lungs to the disease…as I stated before, there must have been some overwhelming evidence that Exxon contributed to his condition. I really tend to beleive that juries are savvier now more so than they have ever been.
There is definitely sympathy – what a horrible thing to happen – just not sure about the justice though. Can not judge because I haven’t heard the evidence.
I guess I’m confused: Minton’s attorney, Bobby Hatten, said Minton has a life expectancy of about two more years and faces a painful death. Both of Minton’s lungs were removed and cleared of cancer material, then replaced, in 2009, Hatten said.
His lungs were removed and cleared of cancer material then replaced. If they were cleared of cancer material, does he still have cancer now? Why does he face a 2 year life expectancey if cleared?
I think I’m missing part of the story.
I know I hate the headline: man “WINS $25M”, as in winning in the Lawyer Lottery.
Like pollution claims, the chain of defendents in asbestosis claims can go on and on. As like pollution claims it’s all long term manifestation. The cure for such claims are well established in both law and in the insurance industry. This is a large award against Exxon which may set some presidence for the $ amount for a single plaintiff and will no doubt be appealed. Exxon, as basically a self insured organization via a captive for many years, will put up a fight on this because if they become a target based on this verdict, it could be a world of financial hurt for them.