After a month-long trial, Weitz & Luxenberg won a $20 million verdict on behalf of the family of the late Geoffrey Anisansel, a marine ship repairman who developed malignant mesothelioma after exposure to asbestos. The jury found that Crane Co., the manufacturer of the asbestos-containing equipment used by Mr. Anisansel, was negligent and recklessly disregarded the safety of the workers who used its products.
“Mr. Anisansel suffered greatly because of Crane Co.’s failure to warn about the hazards of breathing asbestos, known by the company since the 1930s,” said Danny R. Kraft Jr., an associate attorney in Weitz & Luxenberg’s Mesothelioma & Asbestos practice group and the lead attorney on the case. “Thankfully, the jury, after a month-long trial, has held Crane Co. accountable for its blatant disregard for his health and safety.”
Exposure to Asbestos
Between 1965 and 1979, Mr. Anisansel was repeatedly exposed to asbestos through his work repairing marine motors and engines. Specifically, Mr. Anisansel was exposed to asbestos gaskets, packing, and insulation sold by and used with Crane Co. equipment. He was never warned about the hazards of asbestos by Crane Co. and had no knowledge he was exposing himself to this deadly carcinogen that eventually took his life.
Result of Exposure
In 2013, Mr. Anisansel was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. After undergoing several rounds of chemotherapy and 30 sessions of radiation, he passed away in 2015 after suffering for more than two years.
Crane Co. Liability
Evidence introduced at trial by Weitz & Luxenberg demonstrated that while Crane Co. top management knew about the dangers of asbestos exposure starting in the 1930s, the company never tested its products to see if they released dangerous levels of asbestos, never warned any users of its asbestos products about the danger,and continued to sell its asbestos-containing products into the late 1980s.
Other Asbestos Verdicts
Weitz & Luxenberg has won several favorable verdicts in mesothelioma cases, including a $75 million verdict that was the largest single asbestos verdict in New York.
