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Asbestos is primarily used in the construction and automotive industries; therefore, mesothelioma is most common to those working in these industries. However, new cases are being reported in other seemingly safe trades, like acting. Actor Ed Lauter’s career spanned over 40 years, with credits in over 200 television shows such as Charlies’ Angels, ER, and Magnum PI, as well as roles in films that included Seabiscuit, The Longest Yard, and The Artist. When he died in 2013 from pleural mesothelioma, just six months after diagnosis, his family wanted answers.
In a recent lawsuit filed against CBS and General Electric, Lauter’s family alleges that the actor was exposed to asbestos on television and movie production sites when sets were built and dismantled. They also filed suit against the Ford Motor Company alleging that Lauter was exposed to asbestos while working with automotive parts when he worked as a mechanic before his acting career was established.
Lauter is not the only actor to succumb to the disease of mesothelioma. Merlin Olsen was best known for his football career with the Los Angeles Rams and his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Before his death in 2010, Olsen filed a lawsuit against NBC Studios and 20th Century Fox claiming that exposure to asbestos during his acting and broadcasting career led to his mesothelioma. Other well known actors who have died from mesothelioma include Paul Gleason, best known for his roles in The Breakfast Club, Die Hard, and Trading Places, who died in 2006, and legendary movie star, Steve McQueen who died in 1980 after surgery to remove a malignant tumor related to his mesothelioma.
Asbestos-containing products were commonly used in the construction industry because of the minerals’ insulation, strength, and heat resistant properties. Television and movie sets are constantly built and dismantled, releasing toxic asbestos fibers into the air, which are then inhaled by actors working on these sets or nearby stages.
The Pennsylvania asbestos law firm of Brookman, Rosenberg, Brown & Sandler is dedicated to helping victims of asbestos exposure seek the justice and compensation they are entitled to under the law. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, our experienced and knowledgeable Pennsylvania and New Jersey mesothelioma attorneys can help you hold those responsible for your asbestos exposure accountable.
Conveniently located in downtown Philadelphia, our asbestos lawyers serve clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call us today at 215-569-4000 or fill out our online contact form to set up a consultation. We will review the details of your case and provide you with sound legal representation.