New Jersey High Court Denies Exxon Appeal of $7 Million Award

The New Jersey Supreme Court won’t hear an appeal from ExxonMobil over $7 million awarded to a woman who claimed she got cancer from her husband’s asbestos-laden clothes.

A jury in 2008 found Bonnie Anderson had contracted mesothelioma from washing the clothes her husband wore at Exxon’s Linden Bayway Refinery or through her own work there.

Anderson was an electrician at the refinery from 1975 to 1986 who did not have contact with asbestos. She was diagnosed with malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in 2001.

Her husband removed insulation to fix pumps and filters and does not have the disease.

ExxonMobil argued there was no way to know how Anderson got sick and worker’s compensation laws should limit damages.

A company spokesman told The Star-Ledger of Newark it is evaluating its options.