October 7th, 2007

An electrician that worked in the Santa Clara area of California for more than 40 years was exposed to asbestos for most of his career. This week, several companies reached a settlement with the family of the diseased man.

The family of a Santa Clara man that had contracted asbestos-related diseases in the four decades that he worked as an electrician reached a settlement this week with multiple companies. The settlement was related to the death of the electrician due to mesothelioma, a form of lung cancer directly linked with asbestos exposure. During the 40 years he worked as an electrician, the man was exposed to asbestos-laced insulation, asbestos bearing paint and fire retardant materials.

The settlement reached was for $2.3 million, which will be paid by all the companies named in the litigation. The families of the victims unfortunately often carry out mesothelioma cases, since the cancer is often terminal at the time of detection. Mesothelioma occurs when asbestos is disturbed and breaks into airborne particles and inhaled. The particles become stuck in the lungs, keeping them from absorbing oxygen and slowly suffocating the victim. The suit never reached courtrooms, and each company named in the litigation chose to participate in the settlement.