A man from California who was diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma, recently received an out-of-court settlement for $7.5 million from the companies responsible for his exposure to the harmful mineral.

Exposed to Asbestos at Former Places of Employment

Just under a year ago, Robert Hilt, 64, was diagnosed with mesothelioma.  After some research by Hilt and his doctors, it was determined that he had been exposed to significant amounts of asbestos over a prolonged period of time during his employment at Schlage Lock Co. and the Mare Island Naval Shipyard.

Hilt filed a lawsuit against his former employers claiming his workplace exposure to asbestos was the cause of his deadly cancer.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis, Decades after Asbestos Exposure

The asbestos lawsuit alleged that Hilt suffered asbestos exposure during his employment years ago:

• From 1963 to 1965 Hilt worked as a janitor at Schlage Lock Co.’s Bayshore plant.
• He then went to work at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, where he was employed until 1972. 
• While there he was, “loaned out,” to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, where he worked as a machinist in the nuclear reactor compartments of Sturgeon Class submarines

During his time working at each of these locations, Hilt was exposed to asbestos-containing products that were made, supplied or distributed by the defendants.

$7.5 Million Settlement Reached

Two weeks into the case, Hilt and the defendant companies decided to settle out-of-court.  According to Hilt’s lawyer, Gilbert Purcell, the $7.5 million settlement is one of the richest in California’s history of asbestos settlements.  He explained that here have been few more substantial awards, but those were for much younger patients.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of asbestos cancer that attacks the mesotheluim.  Inhalation of asbestos fibers allows the fibers to attach to the lining of the lungs and respiratory tract and sometimes develop into instances of asbestos cancer with time.

There are three forms of mesothelioma cancer:

• Pleural mesothelioma: This is the most common form of mesothelioma cancer. It is found in the lining of the lungs.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma : This is the second most common form of the disease, accounting for 15-20 percent of all mesothelioma cancer cases. It attacks the lining of the abdomen, or the peritoneum.
• Pericardium mesothelioma: Pericardium mesothelioma is found in the lining of the heart. This is the rarest form of the cancer, only accounting for 10 percent of all mesothelioma cases.

(Source: Times-Herald)

Have you or someone you love been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease? If so, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your physical, emotional and financial losses.  Contact us today to schedule a private, no-cost consultation with an experienced asbestos attorney who will fight to ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve.