Jury Hands Down Verdict of $8.6 Million in Favor of Machinist With Mesothelioma

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (PRWEB) March 25, 2005 -- A jury awarded over $8.6 million in the case of a 60-year old Navy machinist and engineering officer, Anthony Cadlo, who was exposed to asbestos in products made by John Crane, Inc. and Metalclad Insulation Corp. (Anthony Cadlo and Maxlyn Cadlo v. John Crane Inc. and Metalclad Insulation Corp., Case No. 412325, San Francisco Superior Court). Mr. Cadlo developed pleural mesothelioma, an aggressive, incurable cancer that is caused by contact with asbestos. He testified at the trial, despite suffering from tumor protrusions on his left chest and being permanently tethered to supplemental oxygen 24 hours a day.

During his naval career, Mr. Cadlo removed and installed pump and valve packing and gaskets, all of which contained asbestos. He was also routinely exposed to high levels of airborne asbestos from thermal insulation, packing, and gaskets in the engine rooms of ships. Mr. Cadlo never wore respiratory protection and was unaware of the dangers of asbestos. Neither he nor his shipmates received any warnings from the manufacturers or suppliers of these asbestos products.

John Crane Inc. manufactured asbestos pump and valve packing and distributed asbestos gaskets during the years when Mr. Cadlo was in the Navy. Metalclad Insulation Corp. supplied asbestos thermal insulation products at that time. The jury determined that exposure to these products caused Mr. Cadlo’s mesothelioma, and that his illness was “reasonably foreseeable” to the companies. It also found that John Crane Inc. and Metalclad Insulation Corp. made defective asbestos products and failed to issue warnings about their hazards.

Mr. Cadlo was awarded $4 million in “noneconomic damages” (pain, suffering, and emotional distress). He was also awarded $1,412,400 for nonmedical economic damages, such as lost earning capacity, $87,304 for past medical expenses, and $174,000 for future medical expenses. Mr. Cadlo’s wife, Maxlyn, was awarded $3 million for her suffering and the loss of her husband’s companionship.

The Cadlos were represented at trial by Christopher Andreas of Brayton Purcell in Novato, California.