Shipyard Facing Mesothelioma Liability Sues Asbestos Manufacturer

Avondale Shipyards, whose work environment was heavily contaminated by asbestos through much of the 20^th century, is frequently named a defendant in mesothelioma lawsuits. When the wife of a man who’d worked as a pipefitter and welder’s was sickened by second-hand asbestos exposure, she sued the company. Avondale then filed its own claim against a company whose asbestos-contaminated products were used in their yard. The suit is an attempt to lessen their own liability should a large award be awarded by a jury.  

Malignant Mesothelioma and Other Diseases Caused by Exposure to Asbestos

Though malignant mesothelioma is the fatal disease that is most frequently associated with exposure to asbestos, many other serious illnesses have been linked to the toxic material. In this suit, Ora Adams filed a claim after being diagnosed with asbestos-related lung cancer. She named Avondale Shipyards as the defendant in her claim, and the worksite then filed its own claim against Westinghouse. The third-party claim specifically cited wallboard that the company manufactured, which was used in the shipyard at the time that Mr. Adams worked there.

According to Mrs. Adams’ lawsuit, her husband carried asbestos into their home from his workplace at Avondale Shipyards, and she then laundered his clothing. While the Adams’ suit focused on Avondale’s failure to warn of the dangers of their workplace, Avondale identified Westinghouse as having contributed to those dangers by incorporating asbestos into the products that were cut and installed in close proximity to Mr. Adams, and tried to bring the manufacturer into the case.

Judge Allows Third-Party Asbestos Claim Against Westinghouse

Though Westinghouse pushed back against the third-party claim and said that the testimony presented was not credible, the judges hearing the case found Avondale’s case compelling. They agreed that there were substantial questions about whether there was asbestos in the Westinghouse Micarta coating that covered the boards, and that those questions should be presented to a jury for a decision.