A former Ellicottville, New York, carpenter, represented by the law firm of Lipsitz & Ponterio, received a settlement totaling $2 million for his asbestos-related injury (mesothelioma). The case was brought against several manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing floor and ceiling tiles, joint compound, fireproofing and pipe covering. Beginning in 1966, our client was exposed to asbestos-containing building materials while employed as a union carpenter.

During the course of our client’s career as a carpenter, he completed all phases of carpentry work from forming to finishing work during the construction of new commercial buildings. While working as a union carpenter, he was a member of the Carpenters Local #66 in Olean, New York. Our client’s exposure to asbestos occurred when he worked alongside dry wall finishers who mixed and sanded asbestos-containing joint compound (mud). He was also exposed to asbestos-containing pipe covering and fireproofing materials when he worked in the vicinity of pipe insulation workers and fire proofers who applied asbestos-containing insulation materials. The application process of asbestos-containing building materials emitted dangerous levels of asbestos dust and fibers, which our client inhaled.

In 2009 and as a result of his exposure to asbestos-containing building materials, our client was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma at the age of 72.