Shotgun Shells + Asbestos + Mesothelioma = $9 Million Verdict
A jury in Delaware state court in July awarded $9 million in a wrongful death case to the family of an Illinois hunter. The jury ruled that he died of mesothelioma caused by asbestos-containing shotgun shells made by the former DuPont Co. and one of its subsidiaries. The deceased, Eugene Schoepke, died on March 27, 2022, of mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos.
Satterley & Kelley, PLLC, represents those with asbestos-related illnesses and family members of those killed by them. We file claims and lawsuits against the companies responsible for the harm you suffer to provide you with compensation. Learn more by calling us at 855-385-9532.
Why was Asbestos in Shotgun Shells?
Asbestos was used in shotgun shells in its wadding or filler material. That’s placed between the shot and the powder so the shot remains intact during firing.
Asbestos fibers helped maintain the shell’s structural integrity, reduced the chances of misfires, and helped ensure a consistent shot pattern. These fibers could become airborne, inhaled, or swallowed when the shells were handled, loaded, and unloaded.
Asbestos fibers could remain in a person for the rest of their life. They can cause scarring, inflammation, and genetic mutations in cells that can result in various cancers, including mesothelioma. It is a fatal disease of the linings of the heart, lungs, abdominal organs, chest, and abdominal cavities.
Who Was Held Accountable for Eugene Schoepke’s Death?
The defendants are a mix of corporate entities that own businesses that produced the shells in the past or are new names for companies that played a role in their manufacture and sales, reports the Delaware News Journal. They include Corteva Inc. and Sporting Goods Properties Inc. (formerly known as Remington Arms Co.).
The defendants have a history with E.I. DuPont de Nemours in common. The company has split into different entities and undergone mergers and restructurings in the past.
Why Were the Defendants Found Liable?
Plaintiffs allege defendants failed to warn Schoepke and other hunters of the dangers they faced when using shotgun shells that contained asbestos and hid the fact that asbestos was part of the product.
The lawsuit claims asbestos wasn’t part of the shells until 1960, when the dangers of asbestos were known. Exposing purchasers to this highly toxic substance was also pointless, as the asbestos didn’t improve the shells’ performance, and only one brand of shells used it for a limited time.
The production of the asbestos-containing shells ended in the 1980s. Because of their long shelf life, they were sold for many years afterward without warnings or recalls.
Call Us Today for a Free Consultation
Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys are your boots on the ground if you or a family member in Kentucky suffers from mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness.
Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation with a Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyer.