Personal Injury Law

$2.4M Maryland Wrongful Death Verdict Awarded to Family of Forklift Driver Who Had Asbestos-Related Cancer

By Jack Lebowitz, Esq. and Vadim Mzhen, Esq.

A jury has awarded $2.4 million to the family of Daniel Edwards for his Maryland wrongful death. Edwards died from mesothelioma in 2008.

His families said that he developed mesothelioma lung cancer from moving bags of asbestos for six years during the 60?s and 70?s while employed with National Gypsum. They contend that Union Carbide supplied and mined the asbestos and did not warn workers about the risks associated with exposure to asbestos even though they allegedly knew about the link between mesothelioma and asbestos two years before Edwards started working at the product manufacturer. Union Carbide?s lawyers have argued that it was National Gypsum?s job to warn its employees about the dangers of asbestos exposure.

However, a Baltimore City jury found that it was Union Carbide who was responsible for Edwards? work-related disease. Because of the state?s cap on damages, the Maryland wrongful death award was lowered to $2.2 million.

Third Party Lawsuits for Maryland Accidents and Illnesses Sustained on the Job
Exposure to hazardous substances on the job can cause serious injuries and even deaths. While employees and their families generally cannot sue their employer for Baltimore wrongful death (most workers are entitled to Maryland workers? compensation from the insurers of the companies they work for over work-related injuries, illnesses, or fatalities) they may have grounds for a third party lawsuit against other entities or individuals that contributed to causing the injury or death. Examples of some other possible third complaints: (depending on the circumstances surrounding your case): a Maryland products liability case involving defective machinery, a Maryland slip and fall lawsuit against the owner of the property where the work accident occurred, or an inadequate security lawsuit against the party that failed to provide the required safety measures.

Asbestos Settlements, Lawyers and Settlements, January 7, 2011

Related Web Resources:
Asbestos, Occupational Safety & Health Administration

Mesothelioma, National Cancer Institute

Full post as published by Maryland Accident Law Blog on January 15, 2011 (boomark / email).