A North Carolina jury has awarded Franklin Finch’s estate $32.7 million. Finch was a Firestone employee for 20 years, where he spent some of his time in the cure room working on replacement parts and tire molds supplied by Covil Corp. Unfortunately, these parts contained asbestos, and Finch was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which caused him to pass away at the age of 78.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that lines the lungs, stomach, heart and other organs. The main cause of mesothelioma is through the inhalation of asbestos fibers. Asbestos can be found in various workplaces—such as automotive repair, construction, renovation, roofing, mining, ventilation repair—and countless others. Currently, in the United States, 1.3 million American workers are occupationally exposed to this deadly chemical, with 2,500 to 3,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), there is no safe level of asbestos, and any exposure could put someone at risk for asbestos-related diseases or death. Because of this, in areas that have the potential for asbestos exposure, employers are required to establish regulations and controls to reduce the levels of this chemical and to ensure the safety of their employees.
Because of Covil Corps’ reckless handling of their products, Mr. Finch’s widow filed a lawsuit against Covil Corp for wrongful death and claimed that they were responsible for his diagnoses. While they attempt to overturn a guilty verdict, it was denied.
How a Wrongful Death Attorney Could Help
At Whitley Law firm, our team of wrongful death attorneys believe in holding corporations accountable for their negligent practices. If you believe that a loved one has been a victim of a company or corporation’s negligence, call Whitley Law Firm to learn more about the first steps that you can take. Our compassionate and seasoned attorneys can work tirelessly to pursue justice on your behalf.
