The law firm of Lipsitz & Ponterio, LLC, is announcing a total of $1.4 million in settlements on behalf of a Kenmore, New York, man against several manufacturers and distributors of asbestos-containing plastic molding compound. From approximately 1960 through 1980, our client was exposed to asbestos when he picked up and delivered asbestos-containing plastic molding compound while employed as a truck driver.
A few times a week and over the course of approximately twenty years, the plaintiff picked up granular plastic molding compound from Durez Plastics in North Tonawanda, New York, and he delivered the materials to local terminals where the molding compound was shipped to mold shops throughout the United States. The plaintiff was a member of the Teamsters Local Union 375 in Buffalo, New York. His exposure to asbestos occurred when he loaded and unloaded pallets of fifty pound bags and fifty-five gallon barrels of granular asbestos-containing molding compound. During every pick-up, it was common for some of the bags to tear and barrels to pop open, emitting dangerous asbestos dust and fibers into the breathing area of the plaintiff. After every delivery, the plaintiff was responsible for sweeping clean his truck, which also exposed him to dangerous asbestos fibers.
In 2005, and as a result of his exposure to asbestos-containing plastic molding compound, the plaintiff was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma at the age of 72.