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$32 Million: Mesothelioma Verdict Awarded by a Jury in South Carolina

Fact checked and legally reviewed by Daniel Wasserberg, Esq. • Contributor & Legal Advisor

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and often fatal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Most cases stem from occupational exposure, but workers aren’t the only ones at risk.

Family members and loved ones can also develop mesothelioma from secondhand exposure to asbestos fibers brought home on clothing, skin, or equipment.

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The Client

The client’s diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma in 2019 was devastating and unexpected. At just 60 years old, she had never worked in an industry known for asbestos exposure and had no direct occupational risk factors.

But there was a hidden danger in her past. Her father spent his career as a pipefitter and insulator, and her husband worked alongside him for nearly a decade in the 1980s. Both were employed by Metal Masters at a Louis Rich Company facility owned by Kraft Heinz, where they routinely encountered asbestos on the job.

What they didn’t know was that asbestos fibers can easily cling to clothing, skin, and hair, making their way into homes and endangering loved ones. For years, the client likely faced daily secondhand exposure while laundering her father’s and husband’s contaminated work clothes.

From the 1960s through the 1980s, this ongoing exposure quietly took a toll. Decades later, it claimed her life before she ever had a chance to seek justice in court. Her family stepped forward to continue the fight.

The Case

Secondhand asbestos exposure cases are notoriously complex, especially when the victim is no longer here to share their story. Without firsthand testimony, many asbestos companies attempt to evade responsibility, arguing there’s no clear link between their products and the illness.

Our partner firm, Meirowitz & Wasserberg, doesn’t shy away from difficult cases, though. They believe every asbestos victim and their family deserves experienced, compassionate legal representation, no matter the challenge.

When the client’s family came forward, the Meirowitz & Wasserberg team immediately began building a strong wrongful death case.

Relying on detailed testimony from the victim’s husband, they created a clear, compelling timeline that connected the dots. This timeline detailed how her repeated secondhand exposure to asbestos, caused by the defendants’ negligence, ultimately led to her mesothelioma diagnosis and death.

After just four days in court, a jury in Columbia, South Carolina, delivered a powerful verdict — $32 million awarded to the victim’s husband and son, including:

• $11 million in survival damages 
• $10 million in wrongful death damages
• $1 million for loss of consortium
• $10 million for punitive damages

Meirowitz & Wasserberg, our partner law firm, prides itself on helping mesothelioma patients and their families hold negligent asbestos companies accountable. Pursuing justice can create potential financial stability for your family and act as a deterrent against future corporate negligence.  

Meirowitz & Wasserburg: Our Partners in Justice

Discover the difference that compassionate, expert representation can make with Meirowitz & Wasserberg. As a boutique firm with national reach, their team brings decades of focused experience in asbestos litigation, offering the deep resources and sharp legal insight needed to take on even the toughest cases.

What sets Meirowitz & Wasserberg apart is their personal approach. Every client receives individualized attention and support as the team uncovers and builds a compelling legal narrative tailored to their unique experience. This commitment has led to more than $500 million in verdicts and settlements for mesothelioma victims and their families.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or lost someone to an asbestos-related illness, you’re not alone. Contact us today for a free case assessment and take the first step toward justice and accountability.