Jury Awards $6.1 Million to Pipefitter with Mesothelioma

DALLAS - A Dallas jury has awarded a pipefitter suffering from mesothelioma more than $6 million in compensatory damages assessed against North American Refractories Co. Breaux, et al. v. North American Refractories Co., No. 08271-I (Texas Dist. Ct., Dallas Cty., 162nd Jud. Dist.).

The July 31 unanimous verdict included more than $5 million for lost wages, medical expenses, mental anguish and future prognosis, and over $1 million to the victim's wife for loss of consortium.

Joseph Breaux worked as a pipefitter and welder from 1966 to 1973 at Avondale Shipyard and on oil drilling platforms at industrial sites throughout Louisiana. …