Despite General Electric’s Arguments, Mesothelioma Lawsuit Will Proceed

One of the most daunting aspects of pursuing a mesothelioma lawsuit is the fact that the companies named as defendants are often some of the world’s biggest corporations. But victims of asbestos deserve justice, and the courts give ordinary people the opportunity to stand up and be heard. In a recent case, a Navy veteran and electrician argued that his case against General Electric should go to a jury, and a New York judge agreed.

Navy Veteran’s Mesothelioma Blamed on Asbestos Exposure During Service and Civilian Job as Electrician

The mesothelioma lawsuit was filed by Arnold Pritt and his wife Ruth Ann. Mr. Pritt claims that he was exposed to asbestos both during the years he served in the Navy and in the years after, when he worked as a civilian electrician. In both instances he points to equipment manufactured by General Electric as the source of his exposure.

General Electric filed a motion to have the mesothelioma lawsuit against them dismissed. The company argued that they had not manufactured the equipment that he was exposed to onboard the ship, and that it had in fact been manufactured by Westinghouse. Though evidence presented supported this argument and the judge dismissed the claim against the company on that count, the question of his exposure as a civilian was more complicated.

Expert Witness Points to “Above Background” Asbestos Exposure in Mesothelioma Claim

Though General Electric acknowledged that Mr. Pritt might have been exposed to asbestos from their products as a civilian electrician, they argued that the exposure would not have been enough to have caused his mesothelioma. In response, Mr. Pritt presented an expert witness who testified that his “hands-on activity” would have led to asbestos being released into his work environment, and that those levels would have been “above background” levels.  As a result, the judge determined that a jury would need to examine the material facts that were in dispute. The case will move forward.