New Jersey’s Largest Mesothelioma Compensation Verdict of $10 Million Awarded to Heating Oil Serviceman

New Jersey's largest mesothelioma compensation verdict of $10 Million is awarded to a US Air Force veteran, who contracted mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure during his work as a residential heating oil serviceman in northern New Jersey.

NEW BRUNSWICK, New Jersey, August 8, 2005 - In the first adjudicated asbestos lawsuit in over 8 years for the State of New Jersey, an unprecedented $10 Million mesothelioma compensation verdict was awarded to William Rhodes of Hawthorne, NJ. Mr. Rhodes, a sixty-eight-year-old US Air Force veteran and residential heating oil serviceman in northern New Jersey for over 20 years, was given mesothelioma diagnosis in March of 2004. Mesothelioma is a currently incurable terminal cancer, which is known to be caused by asbestos exposure.

Defendant Universal Supply Group, Inc., a New Jersey based distributor of heating supply products, many of which contained asbestos, was found liable by a preponderance of evidence in a jury trial presided over by the Hon. Edward J. Ryan of New Jersey Superior Court in Middlesex County. After many hours of deliberation, the jury delivered a verdict, which is believed to be the largest ever asbestos and mesothelioma compensation verdict in New Jersey's history.

Mesothelioma lawyer Moshe Maimon of Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP, who together with Arnold Lakind of Szaferman, Lakind, Blumstein, Blader and Lehmann represented the mesothelioma patient noted, "This is not cause for celebration. I am only glad that this phase of Mr. Rhodes' ordeal is over and that he may now concentrate on getting the best care available and spend his time in the love and comfort of his family." Mr. Rhodes and his wife of 48 years, Doreen, are the parents of two daughters and grandparents of six.

Attorney Maimon added, "The fact that a case like this hasn't been tried in over eight years in New Jersey is somewhat of a disappointment. It goes right to the heart of our philosophy - we fight for our clients, and only settle for fair value."

For over a quarter of a century, mesothelioma lawyers at Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP, have been among the pioneers of asbestos litigation in America. The firm’s attorneys have been recognized as nationwide leaders in representing the rights of mesothelioma victims and their families. Their clients have received some of the largest mesothelioma compensation verdicts in the country.

For more information about this or other mesothelioma lawsuits, please contact Levy Phillips & Konigsberg, LLP, at 212-605-6200 or 1-800-MESO-LAW (1-800-637-6529), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

ATTENTION: Mesothelioma has no known cure and often causes severe pain, suffering, and other types of damage, such as loss of consortium, and loss of income. Additionally, due to the exceedingly high cost of mesothelioma treatments, many families exhaust savings and accumulate financial debt in order to pay for the medical expenses of their family member.

Under the law of most states, pain and suffering from mesothelioma may be compensated through the award of money damages, usually obtained with the help of experienced mesothelioma attorneys. In some states other types of damages may also be recovered.

Asbestos litigation affords mesothelioma victims the opportunity to receive financial compensation and hold accountable the companies that caused their asbestos exposure.

IMPORTANT: If you or your family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should get in touch with a mesothelioma lawyer as early as possible to determine if you have a mesothelioma case and to:

Preserve your rights to bring a legal action against the responsible parties within the limited time frame allowed by law, known as statute of limitations;
Obtain maximum compensation in your case by being able to:
- Preserve evidence and establish facts of the asbestos exposure while the claimant is still alive and able to provide information;
- File and resolve a lawsuit against the responsible parties before they file for bankruptcy or, if they already have, to obtain compensation before their bankruptcy trust funds run out of money;
Expedite your case, as courts tend to give higher priority to mesothelioma lawsuits where the claimant is still alive.

Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced mesothelioma lawyers via our 24/7 toll-free hotline at 1-800-MESO-LAW (1-800-637-6529) or by submitting an email inquiry (see form above). Our attorneys will be quick to respond to you and happy to answer all of your questions.

NOTE: While our offices are located in the states of New York, New Jersey, and California, many of our mesothelioma lawyers are licensed to practice law in a number of U.S. states and have the capability and extensive experience of representing mesothelioma clients throughout the United States. You are encouraged to contact us with any questions.

[ Top of page ]