Fisher Controls Ordered to Pay 2.25 Million Asbestos Award
Fisher Controls International, a manufacturer and supplier of industrial control valves based in St. Louis, was ordered to pay the estate of Ronald Drabczyk 2.25 million as a result of negligent exposure to asbestos that led to his eventual death by mesothelioma. Drabczyk hired asbestos attorneys to bring a mesothelioma lawsuit against Fisher Controls claiming that the company knew of the dangers of asbestos yet failed to put any warnings on their products.
Drabczyk worked for Hooker Chemical at their Niagara Falls site for nearly twenty years repairing valves that contained asbestos gaskets and packing. Due to occupational exposure, Drabczyk developed mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer caused by asbestos. Mesothelioma is caused when a single fiber of asbestos is inhaled or ingested into the body and becomes lodged in the lining of the heart, chest or abdomen. There is no known cure for mesothelioma and life prognosis is usually very short, less than a year, from time of diagnosis. Drabczyk died of mesothelioma in 2005 at age 70.
Fisher Controls, under New York law, was found liable for negligence and failure to provide workplace safety. The company is expected to appeal the Buffalo jury’s award, including the $750,000 in punitive damages. They contend that they had no knowledge at the time that asbestos was harmful and were following Hooker Chemicals specifications requests and therefore should not be held responsible.
If you suspect you have been exposed to asbestos and are experiencing any symptoms of mesothelioma, please contact your doctor immediately. Early diagnosis is essential. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or any other asbestos related disease, please contact our offices toll free at 1-800-440-4262 or fill out a request form on our website, http://www.mesothelioma-attorney.com/.
Our expert asbestos attorneys can provide answers to any legal questions you may have about receiving compensation to help with loss of wages and mesothelioma treatment costs. Our California asbestos law firm can represent you locally or anywhere in the United States. Our mesothelioma law firm specializes in asbestos lawsuits and only handles asbestos claims.
