Tax Preparer

Age:  65

Settlement:  $5.6 Million

Linda was diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in 2005, at the age of 62. She was working as a income tax preparer and teacher in the Portland, Oregon area at the time of her diagnosis. Linda had no health insurance at the time. By the time she contacted our office, she had incurred nearly $300,000 in medical bills for diagnosis and chemotherapy related to her mesothelioma.

Linda told us that she had worked for several years as a ceramics teacher during the 1970s and 1980s in both California and Oregon. She used a clay mix made of 50% dry talc that was mined in Death Valley, California. We determined through research and investigation that the talc she used was possibly contaminated with asbestos.

We sued the manufacturers and suppliers of the talc. Most of these companies had never been sued before in asbestos litigation. We contacted geological experts to consult with us about the various talc deposits in California, and were able to prove that most of them were contaminated with asbestos. We obtained corporate documents from the talc companies that proved that they were aware of asbestos contamination in their talc in the early 1970s. We settled with all of the companies before trial for a total of $5.6 million.

Linda is still doing well, and is still working as a tax preparer and teacher. Chemotherapy has been effective in shrinking Linda’s tumor and allowing her to maintain a high quality of life. Linda refuses to allow her mesothelioma to keep her from doing the things she wants to do. Her courage, resiliency and positive outlook have been an inspiration to all of us.