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The Ferraro Law Firm has secured a $17 million verdict on behalf of a former construction worker who was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Jurors found the plaintiff’s terminal cancer was caused in large part by exposure to asbestos found in the defendant’s joint compound product.
The complex case of Taylor v. Georgia Pacific, before the Florida Southern District Court in Miami, was handled by the experienced, dedicated legal team of James Ferraro and James Ferraro Jr.
Defendant Georgia Pacific was found to be 55 percent liable for the plaintiff’s illness, and thus it will pay approximately $9.5 million to him and his wife.
While most mesothelioma lawsuits involve asbestos exposure that occurred decades ago, this case was noteworthy and especially challenging for the fact that the exposure not only happened in the late 1970s, but that it took place overseas, in Saudi Arabia. This presented a series of unique hurdles in terms of discovery, which is the fact-finding phase that happens pretrial.
In spite of this, Ferraro and Ferraro Jr. were able to produce a substantial amount of evidence of exposure to the defendant’s harmful products.
The plaintiff was in charge of supervising painting crews while working on a military housing project in Saudi Arabia where on site workers used a joint compound known as “Ready-Mix” which was manufactured by the defendant. The product was used for drywall finishing. The painting crews did not use the product directly, but before painting, they had to do a significant amount of sanding. That sanding created a lot of dust which contained asbestos.
Asbestos is a toxic mineral used in building products. It can be very lethal when dust particles are breathed into the lungs. The full effects of this exposure typically are not apparent until many years later, as was the case here.
The 74-year-old plaintiff was diagnosed early in 2014 and his medical treatments have been in the hundreds of thousands.
The plaintiffs claimed negligence against the defendant for failure to properly test the compound or warn users of its known harmful effects. The defendant company is well known by those who handle asbestos litigation. So far, it has faced more than 350,000 product liability lawsuits for its use of asbestos in a wide array of products.
The legal team had to sift through many years’ worth of evidence – investigating the plaintiff’s entire life history in order to eliminate other potential sources of asbestos exposure. This was critical in order to prove causation.
Examining the plaintiff’s work history in Saudi Arabia involved uncovering invoices of the products sold in that country. Although the invoices didn’t reveal a substantial number of purchases for the joint compound, the legal team had to explain to jurors that the compound was sold as a system with the defendant’s wallboard. Invoices revealed numerous purchases of the wallboard and show very few customers bought the wallboard without the joint compound.
Ultimately, the jury found Georgia-Pacific was negligent and its product harmed Taylor, assigning 55 percent of the liability for Taylor’s damages to the company.
Taylor was found 15 percent liable, and his employer, a subsidiary of Raytheon, was found 30 percent liable.
Read more: FatherSon-Lawyers-Win-95-Million-for-Mesothelioma-Patient
Help for mesothelioma victims can be found at The Ferraro Law Firm by calling (888) 554-2030. Offices in Miami and Washington, D.C.
Additional Resources:
Father-Son Lawyers Win $9.5 Million for Mesothelioma Patient, Aug. 26, 2015, Celia Ampel, Daily Business Review
More Blog Entries:
Jury Awards $1.42 Million to Widow in Mesothelioma Lawsuit, Aug. 4, 2015, Florida Asbestos Lawyer Blog
Frequently Asked Questions
01.
How do I know if I need a mesothelioma lawyer for my case?
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma or suspect that you were exposed to asbestos in a work setting or through asbestos containing products, speaking with a mesothelioma lawyer can help clarify your legal rights. At Ferraro Law, we assess the details of your situation, identify companies responsible, and explain the legal process so you can determine if pursuing a mesothelioma claim aligns with your needs. This initial guidance provides a clear direction for mesothelioma victims seeking meaningful support.
02.
What can I expect from working with a mesothelioma law firm?
03.
Will I need to go to court if I’m seeking compensation for asbestos exposure?
04.
How long does asbestos litigation usually take?
05.
How can a mesothelioma law firm help me handle the financial burdens of my illness?
06.
How do I know if my asbestos exposure is connected to my mesothelioma diagnosis?
07.
Is it too late to file a mesothelioma claim if I was diagnosed years ago?
08.
What if I’m not sure which companies are responsible for my asbestos exposure?
09.
Can a mesothelioma law firm assist if my loved one passed away from asbestos-related illness?
10.
Can Ferraro Law handle my case if I live outside of Florida?
Absolutely. We represent clients nationwide. Our extensive experience in complex litigation and specialized claims means that we can effectively advocate for your rights, no matter where you live.
11.
Will hiring a mesothelioma lawyer add to my financial strain?
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When individuals and families face the challenges of mesothelioma and asbestos exposure—coping with complex treatments, escalating costs, and emotional strain—they turn to Ferraro Law for clarity, guidance, and steadfast support. Through meticulous case preparation, empathetic counsel, and strategic representation, our attorneys build compelling cases that secure meaningful settlements to cover medical expenses, provide financial relief, and offer a path toward stability during difficult times.
Stephanie and all the folks at the Ferraro Law Firm were professional and excellent in handling my case. Even more importantly they were very kind and treated me like family. I would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone. Thank Y’all so much.
Matthew F.
Working with Daniel J. Di Matteo, Attorney and Partner at The Ferraro Law Firm was and is a life-changing forever experience. He is committed to a level of professionalism and attention to detail that is at the 100th percentile. Daniel handled everything with calmness, sensitivity and support that I needed through this difficult time. He always protected me and had my best interests. I am completely satisfied with the results.
If you need an attorney that operates at the highest level, that attorney is Daniel J. Di Matteo.
Harvey W.
Ferraro Law is wonderful and I am forever grateful to them. My attorney Daniel Di Matteo fought like a tiger for me against a multibillion dollar corporation and obtained a substantial settlement for me. This settlement is life changing for me. If you need an attorney call Ferraro Law and if you’re lucky Daniel will take your case.
Florence T.
Not too long ago I picked up the phone and called the Ferraro Law Firm not quite knowing what to expect. From the moment I reached out, the team made me feel heard and taken care of — not just like another case walking through the door.
Nikki Hurtado was my first primary contact. After speaking with her I knew that I had picked the right firm. She walked me through the process in plain understandable language. Even after numerous calls, she never made me feel like I was asking too many questions, and I always felt confident that my case was in expert hands.
My litigator was Daniel Di Matteo. If there was ever anyone that you would want by your side in a court of law, it would be him. He was everything that you would want in an attorney—calm, cool, always prepared, communicative and most importantly–experienced. He knew everything that was going to happen before it occurred but was prepared for any contingency. He is a fantastic attorney.
What really set them apart was their communication. I was kept informed at every stage — no chasing down updates, no wondering what was happening with my case. Calls and emails were returned promptly, and they proactively reached out whenever there was a development.
The professionalism of the entire team — from the attorneys to the support staff — was exceptional. Everyone I interacted with was kind, compassionate, and genuinely invested in my well-being, not just the outcome of my case.
And the outcome? Better than I could have hoped for. They fought hard on my behalf and secured a result that truly reflected the impact this injury had on my life.
You could ask for no better firm or attorney.
Keeth K.
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