May 13th, 2005

The family of a man that died from asbestos-related cancer has been awarded over three million dollars in compensation. Alfred Watts contracted the cancer and died four decades after being exposed to asbestos through his work for Hebert Brothers Engineers Inc. based in Los Angeles. The $3.6 million award came after just one hour of deliberations by the jury following a trial in front of Judge James Best of the 18th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Iberville.

Mr. Watts had worked for the company from 1963 to 1994, and the jury found that the employee had not been warned about the dangers of asbestos. The counsel for the plaintiffs stated, "Today's verdict proves what the Watts family has said all along. Hebert Brothers failed to warn Mr. Watts and many other employees about the dangers of asbestos."

Mr. Watts was diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer in 2001. He died just four months after being diagnosed. His exposure came after working as a laborer for over 30 years for Hubert Brothers Inc. Since then the family of the deceased have been fighting for compensation on his behalf.

Asbestos is a substance that can cause a variety of health problems, the most serious of which is a cancer known as mesothelioma, for which there is no cure. Although this cancer can take decades to manifest after exposure to the asbestos, following the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, the lifespan of the patient can be reduced to a matter of months, as in the case of Mr. Watts.