$10.4 Million Awarded to Widow of Former Shipyard Worker Exposed to Asbestos

By Brian Cole

Published on August 10, 2006

Following the trial, Wanda Jones said she felt the jury’s decision provided some measure of justice in the death of her husband.

Jones’ attorney, Robert Hatten, said the verdict was significant because one-third of the judgment will come from Crane Inc, a company that is currently facing other asbestos exposure lawsuits, but has refused to settle any of them.

Hatten said that many companies served with asbestos exposure lawsuits are now choosing to settle them rather than go to court. He said he hopes the verdict in Jones' case will encourage companies like Crane Inc. to take responsibility for their actions.

In 2004 Buddy Jones was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which is known only to be caused by asbestos. Jones had previously spent four years sealing pumps and making gaskets at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. He died a year after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Because mesothelioma can go undetected for 50 years or more following asbestos exposure, many victims do not notice signs of the condition until late in life, when the cancer has reached advanced stages.

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Keyword Tags: personal injury, chemical exposure, mesothelioma and asbestosis, lung cancer, wrongful death, asbestos

Comments

1

My husband,Philip E. Jones, was an electrician's mate in the Navy. He worked around asbestos for 4 years.
He died at 41 yrs old from Adenocarcenoma in 1987.
His only remaining child, Donagene Jones. (his son is dead) is now going to get a lawyer to claim benefits from the VA. I found the letter I wrote to them in 1987, 6 months after he died. They denied all benefits to his children.
His Mother, Donagene Jones Hawk, told her grandchild, to go after the VA as it has been proven that his lung cancer is caused by asbestos. I sent her the letter today. I wish her luck. She lost her Dad and was only 17 yrs old. She never received even Social Security benefits as she had just started college. She lost her brother 7 yrs ago. She deserves something in her life!

Thanks for listening!
Patricia Jones Warren

Patricia Jones Warren, almost 3 years ago

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