PHILADELPHIA, May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C.
 today announced that mesothelioma sufferer James Grumley and his family
 have settled with former asbestos manufacturer Garlock Sealing Technologies
 (based in Palmyra, NY) for a confidential amount following a jury verdict
 of $12 million in damages. Grumley contracted mesothelioma -- an
 excruciating and fatal cancer associated with asbestos exposure -- after
 working for decades as a boiler mechanic at a Johnsonburg paper mill.
 
     "Jim Grumley's cancer was entirely preventable. Asbestos was just too
 profitable for Garlock. The worst thing about it is that instead of
 promptly eliminating asbestos from their gaskets and packing once they knew
 what asbestos could do, Garlock chose to spend decades devising ways to
 cover up the cancers its asbestos products cause," said Baron & Budd
 attorney John Langdoc. Langdoc and colleagues Ryan Leggiero and Melissa
 Fair tried the case on behalf of the family.
 
     The irreversible harm done by years of exposure to the paper mill's
 boilers, which were covered in asbestos cement, and to asbestos gaskets and
 asbestos rope packing that were used on turbines and steam pipes became
 apparent in 2006 when Grumley was diagnosed with malignant pleura
 mesothelioma.
 
     Mesothelioma is a painful and deadly cancer that encases the lining
 around the lungs, called the pleura, and turns it from a single cell layer
 wide to a thick, hard rind. This inhibits the expansion of the lungs,
 making it difficult to breath and causing the nerve endings to scrape
 torturously against the hard lining. In some cases, the growing tumor can
 encase and fracture the spine, or it can surround and strangle the heart,
 as it has done in Grumley's case.
 
     Prior to contracting mesothelioma, Grumley, now 84, played sports with
 his grandchildren and shared his love of athletics, music and dancing with
 his wife of 55 years, Pat Grumley, and their children Cindy, Bob and Jim.
 He was the first member of his family to see his children go to college,
 and they are now teachers and principals.
 
     "It breaks my heart because he did everything right," said his son Bob.
 "He raised us, he educated us, he labored for us. He did everything right
 and he shouldn't have to go through what he's going through. No man, no
 person should have to go through what's facing him."
 
     About Baron & Budd, P.C.
 
     Since 1977, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has championed the
 rights of people and communities harmed by corporate misconduct. With more
 than 40 attorneys and offices in Texas, California, and Louisiana, Baron &
 Budd enjoys a national reputation as a leader of the plaintiffs' bar. The
 firm represents individuals with mesothelioma and other diseases caused by
 asbestos; leukemia caused by benzene; injuries caused by other toxic
 substances and unsafe pharmaceuticals; water authorities seeking clean-up
 costs for drinking water contamination; securities investors defrauded by
 corporate wrongdoing; and consumers in class actions.
 
     CONTACT: Susan Knape of Baron & Budd, P.C. 214-523-6226
 
 
 

SOURCE Baron & Budd, P.C.