Jury finds valve company liable for former welder’s exposure to asbestos
Simmons Hanly Conroy, one of the nation’s leading mesothelioma law firms, is pleased to announce a New York Supreme Court jury has awarded $4.6 million to Thomas McGlynn of Tobyhanna, Pa., who suffers from mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. McGlynn, 75, contracted mesothelioma after working with asbestos-contaminated valves manufactured by Jenkin Bros. of Hartford, Conn.
Firm shareholders Daniel P. Blouin, Jim Kramer, Brian J. Cooke and Karoline Carstens represented McGlynn and his family in Thomas McGlynn v. Jenkins Bros., No. 16-190219.
As a welder, McGlynn was exposed to valves manufactured by Jenkins Bros. that contained asbestos-contaminated gaskets, packing and insulation while building and rehabbing boiler rooms on ships in and around New York City in the 1970s and ‘80s. He was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma on May 16, 2016. Expert testimony during the trial linked McGlynn’s exposure to asbestos fibers.
“While no amount of money can give Thomas back his health, we are extremely pleased that Jenkins Bros. is being held accountable for knowingly exposing Thomas to cancer-causing asbestos,” said Blouin, lead trial attorney on the case. “We hope this result brings some relief to Thomas and his family.”
The verdict holds Jenkins Bros. partially responsible for McGlynn’s exposure to asbestos but applies 100 percent liability to the company for what the jury called “reckless” behavior in exposing McGlynn to the deadly carcinogen.
Founded in 1868, Jenkins Bros. is now a part of Liberty Mutual Group, Inc. and was a manufacturer of valves and rubber goods. Jenkins was represented by Clyde & Co, one of the largest defense law firms in the world.
Michael and Anna Idell, close family friends who have been caring for McGlynn since he was diagnosed, testified at trial and said the result was important for all workers. “We hope today sends a message to companies to put people’s safety first,” said Michael Idell.
McGlynn’s son, Craig, lives in New Jersey and is in the Plumbers Union Local 24. McGlynn emigrated with his wife, Agnes Cummings McGlynn, from Scotland to the United States in 1970. Agnes McGlynn died in 2012. Another son, Mark, is deceased.
About Simmons Hanly Conroy, LLC
Simmons Hanly Conroy dedicates its legal practice to helping victims of mesothelioma. As one of the nation’s largest mass tort law firms, Simmons has represented thousands of patients and families affected by mesothelioma throughout the country. Additionally, the firm’s attorneys have been appointed to leadership in numerous national multidistrict litigations involving dangerous drugs, medical devices and consumer protection issues, including Vioxx, Yaz, Volkswagen Emmissions and DePuy Pinnacle. Since 1999, the firm has pledged over $20 million to cancer research and been a leading supporter of mesothelioma research asbestos exposure prevention. Read more at www.simmonsfirm.com.
