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Home > Blog > The Ferraro Law Firm Earns $24M Verdict for Family of Mesothelioma Victim
Apr 28, 2008
MIAMI, FL: The jury spoke loud and clear when it awarded $24,170,000 to Plaintiff Stephen Guilder and his family on Friday evening in a Miami-Dade courtroom. Dr. Guilder, a 50-year-old Weston area otolaryngologist, was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma on September 26, 2007. Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by asbestos. Dr. Guilder and his wife Sheila have been married for more than twenty years. They have three children, Ariel (18), Alex (16), and Ross (14).
David A. Jagolinzer of The Ferraro Law Firm in Miami tried the case against Honeywell International, Inc., formerly Bendix, and argued that Dr. Guilder’s exposure to Honeywell’s asbestos brakes in the 1970s and early 1980s caused his terminal cancer. “I am very pleased that the jury held Honeywell accountable for the devastating harms it caused Dr. Guilder and his family,” said partner David A. Jagolinzer.
The trial took two weeks and resulted in the largest compensatory jury verdict in Florida for a victim of asbestos exposure against a single defendant.
Asbestos is a carcinogenic, naturally occurring fibrous mineral. Known for its heat resistance and durability, asbestos has historically been used in insulation, construction materials, automotive parts, and shipbuilding materials.
Why is asbestos dangerous?
Asbestos is made up of small shard-like fibers that can easily become airborne when disturbed. If inhaled or ingested, these fibers can embed within the lining of the lungs, heart, stomach, or testes where they can cause cancer to form years or decades later.
What are asbestos-related diseases?
Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer.
What causes mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until decades after exposure.
What are the different types of mesothelioma?
Three of the most common types of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma.
What are common mesothelioma symptoms?
Common symptoms of mesothelioma include difficulty breathing and chest pains. Peritoneal mesothelioma, which affects the stomach, may cause abdominal swelling, loss of appetite, constipation, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Do I qualify for compensation if I have mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a preventable form of cancer most commonly caused by asbestos exposure. If you were exposed to asbestos while serving in the U.S. military or while working in construction, mechanics, or a similar field, you may be eligible for compensation. Contact The Ferraro Law Firm for a free legal consultation.
What is the life expectancy for someone with mesothelioma?
There is no cure for mesothelioma. However, patients can receive treatments for mesothelioma that may extend their initial prognosis with proper treatment.
Those diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma usually have a life expectancy that is greater than three years, though a large part of this depends on the stage the patient is diagnosed. The earlier the diagnosis, the longer the life expectancy and chance of long-term survival.
Do I qualify for compensation if I have mesothelioma?
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should immediately seek long-term medical treatment. After that, you should contact our firm to examine your legal rights. Since 1985, The Ferraro Law Firm has represented individuals with asbestos-related diseases and pursued fair compensation on their behalf. Our firm is one of the top five law firms in the U.S. handling mesothelioma and asbestos cases.
For more information on the Guilder case or The Ferraro Law Firm, call (888) 554-2030.
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Our Trial and Appellate Attorneys Are Ready to Fight for You
If you were seriously injured, remember that it is crucial to choose the right law firm to represent your interests. We have been doing this for more than three decades, and have the resources you need to challenge any opponent!