Family of Deceased Worker Wins Goodyear Suit

DALLAS — A Dallas County jury has awarded $18.6 million to the family of a tire builder who died after being exposed to cancer-causing asbestos fibers at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. plant in Tyler. According to KETK, Carl Rogers worked at the plant for 30 years before being diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Jurors found Goodyear grossly negligent for allowing Mr. Rogers’ continued exposure to asbestos. The September 5, 2014, verdict includes $2.7 million in non-economic damages, $900,000 in economic damages, and $15 million in punitive damages. The parties stipulated to an amount of paid medical bills, which will also be added to the final judgment.

Mr. Rogers worked as a tire builder at the Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. in Tyler, a Goodyear subsidiary. He worked with Goodyear machines that exposed him to asbestos on a constant basis. He was further exposed to asbestos-wrapped piping while maintenance work was happening at the plant. Mr. Rogers was diagnosed with mesothelioma in August 2008 and died in September 2009.