A Californian man, who contracted Work-related Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer after working with brake linings that contained asbestos, has been awarded almost €13m in a compensation package in a court hearing.
Gordon Bankhead (66), worked at the Sea-Land Shipping Company – also of Oakland, California – for more than 30 years. During this period, his duties included inspecting the brakes on heavy duty vehicles, and grinding, blowing out and fitting new brakes where necessary.
It was his exposure to the asbestos in these brake components, which lead to Gordon being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer in March 2010. In the case against his former employers, evidence was shown to the jury that the Sea-Land Shipping Company was fully aware that asbestos was present in the linings of the brakes, but failed to provide warnings to its customers and employees.
The jury subsequently awarded Gordon and his family a overall settlement package of €13m to compensate him for his economic loss, pain and suffering and punitive damages.