This is a record-breaking judgment in a mesothelioma case in the state of Louisiana. A jury found Level 3 Holdings, Inc. (formerly known as Peter Kiewit Sons’ Co.) and twenty other Louisiana-based companies liable for giving the Plaintiff mesothelioma and awarded the victim an extraordinary $36.7 million in damages.
The Plaintiff is 79 years old with pleural mesothelioma and was exposed to asbestos through his work as a Pipefitter out of the local union. He worked at numerous plants along Cancer Alley throughout his career. The target trial defendant was Level 3 Holdings (formerly known as Peter Kiewit & Sons), which is part of the Kiewit empire (#243 on the Fortune 500).
The Plaintiff worked as a Pipefitter for Peter Kiewit on the construction of the UCC plant in Taft, LA and a nearby power plant in the late 60s and early 70s. He was exposed to asbestos while working with and around asbestos- containing products and equipment, and while in the vicinity of others using or handling asbestos products at these facilities, which released injurious levels of asbestos-containing dust all of which the victim was exposed to and breathed.
After a six-day long trial, the jury found the companies were negligent in their responsibility to warn the victim of the health hazards of the asbestos products in their facilities.
We know that no amount of money can make things right for mesothelioma victims, but it is necessary they receive financial support for the costly medical bills and expenses they have incurred as a result of the negligence of companies that chose profits over safety.
