In a recent case involving asbestos exposure, a jury has awarded $17.87 million to a woman who has been diagnosed with the rare cancer mesothelioma. Jayne Menssen claimed she contracted mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos during her employment as a secretary at Union Asbestos and Rubber Co. in the 1960s. The company was called Unacro Industries Inc. at a later date.

According to Menssen, the defendants Pneumo Abex LLC and Honeywell International Inc. knew about the hazards associated with asbestos, but failed to warn employees and customers that there was any danger.

Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of malignant mesothelioma. For most patients, prognosis is poor as doctors often experience difficulty in treating the disease. Treatment options usually include palliative methods aimed at relieving pain rather than curing the cancer.

Diagnosing mesothelioma is also challenging for physicians. The latency period for development from the time someone was initially exposed to asbestos can range between 20 and 50 years. By the time mesothelioma is detected, patients are often already in the advanced stages of development.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure. Those who believe they have been exposed should seek routine medical checkups with a qualified physician for signs of asbestos exposure. The jury in the case reached their verdict after a four-week trial. Menssen received compensatory damages of $3.5 million, punitive damages of $4.37 million from Pneumo Abex and $10 million from Honeywell.

Additional information about mesothelioma and asbestos exposure may be found through the Mesothelioma Center.

(Asbestos.com, 10/02/2010)