Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Marian Jackson, surviving wife of Kenneth Wayne Jackson, was awarded $1.4 million dollars in a recent verdict against National Services Industries, more commonly known as North Brothers. The verdict is seen to be a milestone victory since it is not only the first against North Brothers in the United States, it is also only the second mesothelioma lawsuit ever tried in Tennessee in the last fifteen years.

 

Jackson was employed by Combustion Engineering in Chattanooga, Tennessee for over thirty years as a pipefitter.   During the time Jackson worked at Combustion, 1950’s to late 1980’s, asbestos was frequently used as pipe insulation because of its thermal properties and durability.   It was common during this time for pipefitters to be repeatedly exposed to asbestos while performing their daily work duties. Wearing protective clothing, masks or breathing apparatuses almost never occurred, and therefore pipefitters were at high risk of breathing in airborne asbestos. 

 

Once inhaled, asbestos causes serious diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.    Jackson developed mesothelioma, cancer caused by exposure to asbestos that affects the lining of the lungs, stomach, or heart.   Mesothelioma does not manifest until decades after exposure and has no known cure.

 

The jury found that Jackson’s mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos containing products that North Brothers manufactured and/or supplied to Combustion Engineering and rendered a verdict against the manufacturing company.