This week the North Carolina Court of Appeals unanimously upheld a $7.5 million verdict in favor of retired CSX railroad employee, Ray Williams.

After the trial and while the verdict was on appeal, Williams died of mesothelioma at the age of 61 in June 2005. Williams worked for CSX for nearly 40 years before retiring in 1999. He was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in 2002. The only proven cause of mesothelioma among workers in the United States is exposure to asbestos.

A Scotland County jury returned the verdict for Williams in October 2004. CSX filed an appeal in January 2005. Williams died a few months later. His wife, Shirley Williams, the executrix of his estate continued with the case. (Shirley T. Williams and Raymond W. Williams vs. CSX Transportation, Inc.)

Williams filed the suit against CSX Transportation because the railroad regularly exposed him to asbestos and asbestos containing materials at work and failed to warn him about the dangers of exposure. Railroad workers do not receive workers