In February of 2007, at the age of 65, Lloyd Higgins was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an aggressive and deadly cancer that most often affects the lining of the lungs. It can also begin in or spread to the stomach lining, the lining of the heart and other organs. As the disease progresses, it typically spreads throughout the body via the lymph system. Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure.
Mr. Higgins was diagnosed with mesothelioma when he was hospitalized for shortness of breath, wheezing, plural effusions, and a collapsed right lung.
Navy Career
At the age of 18, Mr. Higgins joined the United States Navy. During all of his 20 year Navy career, he worked on or in connection with nuclear submarines:
- Sept. 1960 – Aug. 1961, Knolls Atomic Facility, West Milton, NY. This facility was operated by General Electric for the US Government. Mr. Higgins trained for repairs and emergency operations on a S3G submarine prototype.
- Aug. 1961, Higgins joined the staff of the USS John Marshall as a Machinist Mate.
- In 1964 he transferred to the USS Sam Rayburn. During his four years on this ship, he was promoted from Machinist Mate to Chief Machinist Mate.
- In 1968, Higgins left the Rayburn and returned to Knolls Atomic Facility where he served as an instructor and supervisor on the SG3 prototype until 1971.
- In 1971, he was promoted to Warrant Officer and transferred to the electric boat shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. While in Groton, Higgins was appointed Admiral Rickover’s Representative for Refueling Operations.
- In 1979 he retired from the Navy and moved into the civilian workforce.
Two Decades of Asbestos Exposure
During the years Lloyd Higgins worked for the Navy, many parts and equipment commonly used for the operation and maintenance of atomic submarines contained asbestos. Some of the asbestos products Mr. Higgins was exposed to during his Navy career include valves, pumps, boilers, turbines, steam traps, gaskets and packing.
Some of the manufacturers named as Defendants in Mr. Higgins’ mesothelioma case include:
Alfa Laval Separation
Armstrong International
Aurora Pump Company
Buffalo Pumps, Inc.
CBS Corporation
Crane Co.
Garlock Sealing Technologies
General Electric Co.
Hoke, Inc.
IMO Industries
Ingersoll-Rand Co.
Leslie Controls, Inc.
Velan Valve Corp.
Warren Pumps, Inc.
Union Carbide
Yarway Corporation
Manufacturers Knew Dangers
During installation, use, maintenance and removal, asbestos products such as those Lloyd Higgins were exposed to have been shown to release asbestos dust that can easily be inhaled or swallowed. This dust can also be transported to other locations on clothing or shoes and expose others, such as family members.
Internal documents from asbestos product manufacturers, staff and employee witnesses; and documents from asbestos trade association meetings all establish that the manufacturers that produced the asbestos products to which Mr. Higgins was exposed knew that asbestos caused deadly diseases before Mr. Higgins was exposed. However, they did not warn users of the dangers.
Higgins Mesothelioma and Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit
SEGLaw’s experienced mesothelioma attorneys filed a lawsuit against asbestos product manufacturers on behalf of Mr. Higgins and his wife on February 27, 2007, in Schenectady County, NY. Judge Richard Aulisi resided over the case.
Despite his serious health issues, Lloyd Higgins rallied to hold those responsible for his exposure accountable and was able to give a strong deposition. In fact, his testimony was so comprehensive and convincing that further testimony from coworkers was not necessary.
Manufacturers Try to Avoid Responsibility
In many mesothelioma cases involving Navy servicemen, a common defense tactic is for asbestos defendants to admit that they knew asbestos caused mesothelioma, but claim that the Navy specifically told them not to place warnings on products used by the Navy. To date, this claim has never been substantiated in court.
Settlement Reached
In September of 2008, 11 months after his death, Lloyd Higgins’ wife accepted a settlement offer for an undisclosed amount.
A Family Mourns
In February of 2007, Mr. and Mrs. Higgins had finally made retirement plans to travel across the country in an RV. Both tragically and ironically, Higgins was diagnosed with mesothelioma the day before they planned to pick up their newly ordered RV.
Lloyd Higgins is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol, one son, two daughters, and 6 grandchildren. Before his diagnosis, the children and grandchildren frequently visited Mr. and Mrs. Higgins in Glenfalls, NY.
For years, Lloyd and Carol had saved and planned for their retirement years together. They eagerly looked forward to seeing the country’s historic highways and byways, and visiting family and friends. Instead, because of his exposure to asbestos, the couple was robbed of the time they’d worked decades for. Both Mrs. Higgins and the couple’s children and grandchildren painfully miss their husband, father and grandfather.
SEGLaw Privileged to Represent Higgins Case
“Mr. Higgins selflessly served his country in the Navy for 20 years while being exposed to asbestos from the manufacturers of equipment and products that he worked around and with. The manufacturers sold dangerous products and failed to warn Mr. Higgins and many others. The companies that were sued as a result of Mr. Higgins’ mesothelioma deserve to be held accountable for the pain and suffering which they caused -- unfortunately Mr. Higgins could not be saved from this horrible disease which took his life” said Simon, Eddins and Greenstone partner David Greenstone.