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Daughter's Death of Mesothelioma Leads to Confidential Settlement

Friday, September 4, 2009

A Tennessee couple has reached a legal settlement with Alcoa Inc., over the death of their 25-year-old daughter who died of mesothelioma.

Amanda Satterfield, who died in 2005, was exposed to asbestos fibers from infancy through the work of her father, Doug Satterfield who was employed by ALCOA Tennessee operations, hauling asbestos for the aluminum company, The Maryville (Tenn.) Daily Times reported.

After Amanda Satterfield was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer associated with asbestos exposure in 2003, she and her family filed a lawsuit against ALCOA, contending the company was negligent in preventing exposure to asbestos. Her parents Doug and Donna Satterfield continued the lawsuit after her death on Jan. 1, 2005.

“A confidential financial settlement was obtained,” Greg Coleman, attorney for the Satterfield family told the newspaper. Alcoa also confirmed the settlement to the paper.

The Satterfields maintained that their daughter’s cancer was caused through the transfer of hazardous substances such as asbestos fibers from Doug Satterfield’s workplace on his clothing to their daughter —an exposure pathway that researchers have observed in a number of cases. Attorneys for Alcoa had argued that the company’s liability was limited to employees and didn’t extend to family members and the lawsuit should be dismissed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled last year in the Satterfields’ favor that the case could go to trial.

Newspaper Article

Labels: National News

posted by Wade Rawlins at 1:52 PM
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