When mesothelioma is diagnosed, the illness does not just affect the patient with the disease: it has an impact on the entire family. Spouses, parents, children, and loved ones all suffer, anticipating the loss of their friend and family member, the pain of watching them suffer through painful symptoms and treatment side effects, and the many heartbreaking decisions that need to be made throughout the rapiddecline that the disease brings. It is for this reason that so many end up filinglawsuits against those responsible for their loved ones exposure to asbestos: negligence on the part of asbestos companies causes very real pain.

A recent example of this can be seen in a case that was filed against Honeywell International. The well known company is the owner of and successor to Bendix Corporation, which used asbestos in the brakes it manufactured for cars and trucks. Honeywell has faced numerous mesothelioma lawsuits, including the case brought against them by the family of the late James Lester Phillips, who died of mesothelioma in February of 2013, less than a year after he was diagnosed with the disease. Phillips had worked installing Bendix brakes from a young age. He also had other asbestos exposures, and the companies named in lawsuits filed by the company all settled with them, providing appropriate compensation. Honeywell was found guilty and charged $3.5 million in punitive damages: the company appealed the verdict.

In their decision, the Court of Appeals of California decided against the manufacturer. One of the key points of evidence was a letter that had been written by a Bendix employee to the companys asbestos provider, making sarcastic comments about the risks of asbestos exposure and indicating that people have to die of some cause. This type of malicious carelessness has been shown repeatedly as grounds for negligence and malice. Had companies that used asbestos treated their employees lives with more care and taken the risk of asbestos exposure more seriously, many lives would have been saved, and companies would not be faced with court orders to pay multiple millions of dollars in damages.

Losing a loved one to mesothelioma takes an enormous toll. If you need assistance in dealing with the emotional, physical or economic fallout, the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net can help. Contact us today at 1-800-692-8608to learn more about the support and assistance we can provide.

Terri Oppenheimer is an independent writer, editor, and proofreader. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Her dreams of a writing career were diverted by a need to pay her bills. She spent a few years providing the copy for a major retailer, then landed a lucrative career in advertising sales. With college bills for all three of her kids paid, she left corporate America for a return to her original goal of writing. She specializes in providing content for websites and finds tremendous enjoyment in the things she learns while doing her research. Her specific areas of interest include health and fitness, medical research, and the law.

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Honeywell Fails in Appeal Against Mesothelioma Verdict - Mesothelioma.net Blog (blog)