Larry Kinseth was 68 years old when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma
in 2007. Seeking the best treatment, Larry met with oncologists at the
Mayo Clinic in Minnesota as well as surgical oncologists in Los Angeles,
California.
Though his local physicians discouraged him from undergoing any type
surgery, Larry thought he had to do whatever he could, and if that meant traveling
a great distance, then he would do it. He would travel to the end of the
world if need be. Any distance, no matter how far.
Time is also a measure of distance.
Time is something Larry’s family persevered through as they waited
for the appropriate justice to be awarded. Larry’s legal
marathon began in January of 2008 in Wright County, Iowa. It was then that his
mesothelioma lawsuit was filed against over 30 defendants. Before the
date of his trial Larry passed away in January of 2009.
Over the next five years, there were trial dates set in July of 2012,
September of 2012, February of 2013, May of 2013 each of which were continued
by the courts. Finally, this March a firm trial date was reached and the
trial began. The lone defendant left in the lawsuit was Weil-McLain.
On April 25, a jury returned a verdict of $4 million dollars in compensatory
damages. The Kinseth family’s patience was finally rewarded. Although
the time spent waiting for justice will never come close to healing the
wound left with Larry’s passing, just knowing that the jury members
and others following the lawsuit will realize the terrible injustices
the asbestos companies have done to the working man and woman is of some comfort.
During Larry’s treatments, he faced many painful and uncomfortable
days. He never lost faith, not in his doctors nor his legal team. He always
told himself, his family and his attorneys “there will always be
obstacles, but know you have to get to the end.”
The Kinseth legal team was made up of attorneys from Worthington &
Caron and Simon, Greenstone, Panatier & Bartlett