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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.
To the general public searching for a competent aggressive law firm, I must recommend The Ferraro Law firm. After my first consultation with this firm, it was clear this was the right firm to handle my case.
I had tried a few others but was not impressed. In fact, the others made me feel like just a number. I’m a licensed general contractor with many years of experience. The main thing in my business success is, and has been, communication.
Ferraro Law has given me the very best communication I could ask for. As we all know, things don’t always happen overnight. This is where communication comes in.
My thanks to the Ferraro Law firm for transparency and diligent attention to all the details in my case.
I recommend them highly with a five star rating. 10 if I could.
Mark D.
I had a truly positive experience working with Ferraro Law Firm, especially Berta, who supported me every step of the way. From the beginning, she was kind, patient, and very clear in her communication. She set realistic expectations and checked in with me often, which made a big difference during a time that felt overwhelming in my personal life.
Receiving a settlement sounds like it should be simple, but it can actually be a lot to process. Berta made everything feel manageable. The process of signing documents and receiving my settlement was smooth and stress-free, and I always felt reassured that everything was being handled properly.
What stood out to me the most was how considerate and understanding she was of me as a person, not just a case. As a mother, that meant a lot. I truly felt supported throughout the entire experience.
I’m very grateful for the help I received and would absolutely recommend Ferraro Law Firm to anyone looking for professionalism, guidance, and genuine care during a legal process.
Ebony C.
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