In Newport News, Virginia, the family of a retired Navy sailor has reason to rejoice. Gerald Gray’s family has just won $1.2 million after raising a lawsuit against a manufacturer of parts for ships. Gerald Gray passed away in April after a prolonged battle with mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive form of cancer. Mesothelioma is triggered by exposure to asbestos fibers. Asbestos was often used in the shipping industry as an insulating material or as fireproofing. Mesothelioma spreads so quickly that many patients succumb to the disease within months after being diagnosed.

Asbestos was also commonly used in automotive brake pads, as well as thousands of other applications. Now that the health risks associated with asbestos exposure are well-known, asbestos is no longer acceptable for use in new construction. However, many aging buildings across America still contain the deadly substance. Asbestos was once a common component of building materials ranging from insulation to concrete to drywall joint compound.

Gerald Gray died at the age of 75, only five weeks before the trial was set to begin against John Crane Inc. Crane, based in Illinois, manufactures gaskets and other ship parts that Gray used routinely to repair damaged ships. The Newport News Circuit Court jury ruled yesterday against five manufacturers for a total of $4 million, with each company being assigned a percentage of the blame.

John Crane was blamed for 30 percent of Gray’s suffering, and was therefore ordered to pay damages in the amount of $1.2 million.

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