The lawsuit of a former Elizabeth, New Jersey resident who worked at the Brooklyn Navy Yard will move forward shortly in New York City, a New York Supreme Court justice recently ruled.

According to a press release on eMediaWire, Judge Helen Freedman, who presides over the New York City Asbestos Litigation, denied a motion for summary judgment filed by a cable manufacturer, The Okonite Company, in the case of Leonard Shafer, who died of mesothelioma at age 73.

The press release notes that “as early as January 10, 1941, Okonite was approved to sell asbestos-containing armored cable to the Navy. At the time of the approvals in 1941, cable manufacturers were required, under Navy Specifications, to include asbestos in heat and flame resistant, armored cable. However, military records establish that, in September 1941, cable manufacturers were given a choice whether to use asbestos or glass fiber.”

Furthermore noted Judge Freedman, Okonite also packed their cables in asbestos-containing material, further endangering the health of Shafer and his co-workers.

Lawyers for the plaintiff, Mrs. Eleanor Shafer, note that Okonite continued to sell asbestos-containing cables until 1956 and continued to pack them in asbestos material during that time, despite the fact that other safer options were available.

The trial is expected to begin in June against both Okonite and John Crane, the manufacturer of the asbestos packing material used with the cable.

Carmen St. George, Schafer’s attorney, said: “Mr. Shafer’s death from mesothelioma could have been avoided if these companies would have acted responsibly and warned about the health hazards of asbestos. Justice Freedman’s ruling properly places the factual issues surrounding Mr. Shafer’s asbestos exposure where it belongs — in the hands of the jury.”

This entry was posted on Monday, April 30th, 2007 at 9:02 am and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.