Asbestos fibers brought home from workplace cause death. $11.2 million. Los Angeles County.

Facts and Background

• Facts and Background:

  Plaintiff’s father (Francisco Mata) worked for Park Water company from 1970 to 1989. Park Water is a private, for-profit, company that provides the water to residents in various cities in Southern California (Lynwood, Bellflower, Compton, etc.).

  During his work with Park Water, Francisco Mata installed and cut asbestos cement pipe. Park Water admitted that its employees, including Francisco Mata, handled and installed asbestos cement pipe until approximately 1985 at which point they allege they contracted out the installation of asbestos cement pipe. Plaintiff Alfred Mata was 64 years old at the time of his mesothelioma diagnosis. His wife of almost 30 years, Leticia Mata, sued for loss of consortium. 

• Plaintiff's Contentions:

  Plaintiffs alleged that Park Water did not inform its workers of the dangers associated with asbestos. Plaintiffs allege that Park Water violated federal and state health and safety laws including the Occupational Safety and Health Act which required monitoring asbestos exposures in the workplace, providing separate lockers for workers to separate street clothes and work clothes, and informing workers of the hazards associated with asbestos.

  As a result of Park Water’s failure to address these safety concerns, Francisco Mata brought asbestos dust home with him on his work clothes and person. As a direct result of the family home being contaminated with asbestos, plaintiff Alfred Mata developed a terminal asbestos cancer called mesothelioma.

• Defendant's Contentions:

  Defendants contended they were not negligent and further disputed that Alfred Mata's mesothelioma was related to asbestos exposure.