Football, TV Star Merlin Olsen Dies of Asbestos Cancer
By Jim Greene
Published on March 23, 2010
Professional football and television star Merlin Olsen died of mesothelioma, a type of cancer caused by asbestos, on March 12.
Olsen had filed a lawsuit against NBC Universal and 26 other defendants, claiming they allowed him to be exposed to asbestos, leading to his developing cancer. Olsen claims his exposure began when he was just 10 or 11 years old.
The personal injury lawsuit was filed Dec. 31 in Los Angeles County Superior Court by Eric Brown of Baron & Brown PC for unspecified damages. Other defendants include NBC Studios, 20th Century Fox Film Corporation, Georgia-Pacific, Kaiser Gypsum, Kelly Moore, Union Carbide, Sherwin Williams, and Lennox Industries.
Olsen's Cancer Diagnosed in July
Olsen, 69, was diagnosed in July with mesothelioma, a form of cancer that damages the lining of internal organ and is especially damaging to the lungs. The World Health Organization has called asbestos exposure the most common cause of cancer in workers.
According to Olsen's suit, his asbestos exposure began with summer and after-school jobs in construction that began when he was 10 or 11 years old and continued through college. He said his later careers in football and television continued the exposure because he associated with workers who used material containing asbestos.
Acting Career Followed Football Stardom
Olsen played for the Los Angeles Rams football team for 15 years. He then moved into television, first as a sportscaster, then as an actor. Among his credits is a supporting role in "Little House on the Prairie."
Blame for Olsen's mesothelioma is placed on asbestos manufacturers who, according to the suit, knew of the danger of exposure to even small amounts of the material, but failed to warn the public of the consequences.
If you or someone you know has developed mesothelioma, asbestosis, or other health problems after exposure to asbestos, you need to contact an experienced attorney. There is no way to turn back the clock, but you may be entitled to monetary compensation to help cover medical bills and loss of income and to provide for your family's future.
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