Illinois Jury Awards Plaintiff More Than She Asked

A Cook County, Illinois jury recently awarded $23 million to a woman who developed lung cancer after handling asbestos-containing materials while working for the Chicago manufacturer Qualitex Co. The jury returned its verdict in favor of Cynthia Cowger in her lawsuit against Qualitex following a three-week trial.

Over the course of the mesothelioma litigation, Qualitex argued against being held responsible for Ms. Cowger’s terminal illness both by asserting that she “was not exposed to any asbestos-containing product manufactured, supplied, or distributed by Qualitex” and that instead “for this Plaintiff, genetic mutations are the sole proximate cause of her mesothelioma” and requested a blood sample for testing from the plaintiff.

The judge denied that request in January of 2021, writing that “the theory underlying Qualitex’s request has not gained general acceptance whereby it would be permitted to conduct full genomic sequencing of the Plaintiff’s genome.” A second request by the company on this same motion was also denied.

Ms. Cowger’s final request had been for $5 million (though her attorneys initially argued for as much as $14 million) but the company would go no higher than $2 million. The jury awarded her $6 million for loss of a normal life, $5 million for her shortened life expectancy, $2 million for physical disfigurement, and another $10 million total for her pain and suffering and emotional distress.

One Of Many Reasons Why You Need An Experienced Asbestos Attorney

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos, contact the experienced attorneys at Nass Cancelliere. For more than 35 years, the Philadelphia-based law firm of NASS CANCELLIERE has represented 4,000 people who have contracted MESOTHELIOMA and other forms of asbestos-related illness. Our attorneys have tried over 1,000 cases throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey and we have collected over $500 million for our clients. Learn more by calling 215-546-8200 to speak with an attorney or contacting us online.

View a sampling of our jury verdicts and asbestos settlements.