Asbestos News Roundup: 12.5.13 – WHO Study Reports Toll of Asbestos Disease

December 5th, 2013. By LucyC

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of. An ongoing list of reported asbestos hot spots in the US from the Asbestos News Roundup archive appears on our asbestos map.

Millions of Potential Life-Years Lost to Asbestos Disease, WHO Study Shows

A recent analysis of data from the World Health Organization, shows that when the problem of mesothelioma and asbestosis, the two most prominent asbestos-related diseases, is analyzed in terms of life years lost, the burden is “substantial”.

Researchers in Japan and Indonesia found that a total of nearly 3 million potential life years have been sacrificed to these diseases by more than 141,000 people in dozens of countries. According to their WHO data analysis, 128,015 people died of mesothelioma in 82 countries between 1994 and 2010. During the same period, 13,885 people died of asbestosis in 55 countries.

Mesothelioma is a deadly malignancy that spreads across internal membranes, inhibiting organ function and often, eventually, invading the organs themselves. Asbestosis, also known as pulmonary fibrosis, is a chronic inflammation in the lungs that causes shortness of breath and chest pain and can be fatal. Both mesothelioma and asbestosis are triggered by prolonged or intense exposure to asbestos fibers and can develop decades after exposure.

According to the new study, which appeared in the June 12, 2013 issue of the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, people who died of mesothelioma lost a total of 2.81 million potential years of life. That equates to an average of 17 years lost for each mesothelioma patient. The 13,885 people who died of asbestosis lost an average of 13 years of life each, for a total of 180,000 years. The researchers call the Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) measurement a “well-established but rather under-utilized” tool for assessing global disease burden and conclude that “The future burden of asbestos-related diseases can be eliminated by stopping the use of asbestos.”

Asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer, emphysema, pleural plaques and autoimmune diseases for more than 50 years. Despite the mounting worldwide death toll, many countries continue to mine, import and use asbestos in a range of industrial applications. Asbestos was once prized as an insulator and building material because of its resistance to heat, fire and corrosion. A number of third-world countries still use asbestos because it is inexpensive.

Asbestos Lawsuits

St. Clair County, IL: John Garrigus has filed an asbestos lawsuit naming 69 defendant corporations, which, Garrigus alleges, caused him to develop lung cancer after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career.

Garrigus worked as in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 until 1974, according to the complaint. He was also secondarily exposed to asbestos fibers through his father, who worked as a laborer at Clark Oil Refinery, the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, the defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for the plaintiff’s safety.

As a result of his asbestos-related diseases, Garrigus became disabled and disfigured, incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, the complaint says. In addition, he was prevented from pursuing his normal course of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to him, the lawsuit states.

In his 10-count complaint, Garrigus is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, economic damages of more than $150,000, compensatory damages of more than $200,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $50,000 and other relief the court deems just.

St. Clair County, IL: Margie Vail filed an asbestos lawsuit naming 51 defendant corporations. She filed the asbestos complaint on behalf of her recently deceased husband, Bobby G. Vail, who died on March 31, of asbestos-related illness.

Margie Vail alleges the defendant companies caused Bobby Vail to develop lung cancer after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout their careers. Bobby Vail worked in the U.S. Navy from 1948 until 1967 and as a maintenance worker and mechanic from 1969 until 1989.

According to the lawsuit, the defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for Mr. Vail’s safety.

As a result of his asbestos-related diseases, Bobbie Vail became disabled and disfigured, incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, the complaint says. In addition, he was prevented from pursuing his normal course of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to him, the plaintiff claims.

Through her lawsuit, Margie Vail is seeking economic damages of more than $50,000, a judgment of more than $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages, compensatory damages of more than $100,000 and other relief the court deems just.

New Orleans, LA: Emile and Julia France have filed an asbestos lawsuit against four of Mr. France’s previous employers, namely Chevron U.S.A. Inc., McDermott Inc., Hess Corp. and Tate & Lyle Ingredients Americas. The asbestos lawsuit, filed in federal court in New Orleans, alleges Mr. France developed brain cancer after years of exposure to asbestos.

France worked for McDermott as an operator in 1962 for approximately six months and worked at Hess from approximately 1962 to 1964. He also worked for Tate & Lyle as a pumper and gauger from 1967 to 1971 and as an employee of Alliance Refinery from 1971 to 1976. It was during this period, the lawsuit states, that France was exposed to and inhaled significant quantities of asbestos and asbestos-containing products, resulting in his developing lung cancer, brain cancer, impaired pulmonary capacity, and reduced lung volume.

A Jones Act claim has been filed against defendant McDermott. While defendants Hess, Chevron, Tate & Lyle and McDermott are accused of negligence and strict liability for not providing respiratory protection or other personal protective equipment, not providing proper training in the proper safety procedures, failing to have the necessary equipment to perform the required work, failing to have properly trained and competent crew, and for failing to comply with applicable regulations and laws.

Through the lawsuit, Mr. France is seeking damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, physical therapy, disability, emotional and psychological anguish and distress, loss of income, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, loss of service and loss of society, punitive damages, court costs, attorney’s fees, and interest.

Tags: Asbestos, asbestos lawsuit, Asbestos Mesothelioma, asbestos risk, Asbestos Settlement

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