The Ohio Court of Appeals recently revived a mesothelioma lawsuit filed against General Motors Corp. by a man claiming that his cancer was caused by on the job asbestos-exposure.

Lee C. Rettig, a retired electrician who regularly performed electrical repairs at various GM plants, contends that he developed mesothelioma from years of working with wiring and insulation containing the hazardous asbestos fibers.

GM had convinced the previous judge that the work of an electrician is inherently dangerous and thus the company should not be held responsible for Rettig’s damages.

However, Rettig argued that GM was aware of the dangers associated with asbestos but failed to warn workers. The appeals court judge agreed that exposure to asbestos “is not inherent in the craft of an electrician.”

One Ohio lawyer, Thomas Bevan, said this ruling sets a precedent that could make things easier for other electricians and trade workers who have developed asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma because of workplace exposure.

Mesothelioma is a deadly form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, heart or abdominal cavity. The main cause of the fatal condition is asbestos exposure.

Victim of asbestos exposure? Please contact us to learn more about recovering compensation for your losses and suffering through a mesothelioma lawsuit.