Historic $9 Million Verdict for Illinois Family: Delaware Jury Delivers Unanimous Verdict in First-Ever Asbestos Shotgun Shell Case 

Yesterday marked a truly pivotal moment in asbestos litigation history when a Delaware jury unanimously awarded $9 million to the family of Eugene Schoepke, who died from mesothelioma after unknowingly being exposed to asbestos for decades.

Eugene “Gene” Schoepke was not just another number, another victim, or statistics in a worn out case file. He was a devoted husband, father of eight children, and a lifelong farmer in Illinois.

It Was a Three-Year Fight for Justice

Gene was an avid hunter, like millions of Americans in this country, and he always used Remington and Peters shotgun shells. Gene believed that the products he used from Remington and Peters were safe for recreational use, but unfortunately, that trust ultimately proved fatal.

After a brief, but devastating battle with mesothelioma, Eugene passed away at the age of 84, leaving behind his grieving widow and eight children. They were determined his death would not be in vain.

Led by attorneys Dave Barrett and Devitt Cooney of Cooney & Conway, along with Tom Crumplar of Jacobs & Crumplar, Eugene’s widow and eight children undertook a three-year legal battle that has now made history.

This Groundbreaking Verdict Exposes Decades of Hidden Danger

The Delaware jury’s 12-0 verdict represents the first successful judgement against any defendant in an asbestos-related shotgun shell case. Of the $9 million awarded, both parties are being held accountable for damages: Remington for 40 percent, and Peters for 60 percent.

The shocking truth uncovered by the evidence in this case is that virtually every shotgun shell manufactured by these companies was packed with toxic asbestos fiber. That means each time a shooter fires these shells, they are being exposed to dangerous amounts of asbestos, a critical fact never disclosed to consumers.

How Exposure to Asbestos Leads to Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that is primarily caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is often associated with construction and industrial work, but this case reveals that it can happen in other, unexpected ways.

The most difficult factor in catching and treating mesothelioma is that it can lie silent for decades. This means you can be exposed to it without realizing it and see no symptoms for 20 or even 50 years. The lengthy latency period and delayed onset of this disease makes it difficult to get an accurate diagnosis. It can take years, in many cases, to determine the exact product or activities that led to a victim’s exposure.

What Does This Verdict Mean for the Legal Community?

This landmark verdict establishes an important precedent for future asbestos cases involving consumer products. It demonstrates that manufacturers cannot hide behind claims of “safe use” when they fail to warn consumers about known hazards.

For families facing similar circumstances, this case proves that it is possible to hold powerful corporations accountable, even when facing well-funded defendants with teams of lawyers.

What the Schoepkes Want the World to Know

The verdict sends a powerful message to manufacturers who focus more on profits than on public safety. The Schoepkes hope that it also gives other families affected by asbestos exposure a reason to hope.

Cooney & Conway Partner Dave Barrett says, “The Schoepkes want the world to know what Eugene never did, and what the Defendants never told a soul. That for over 20 years virtually every one of their shotgun shells was packed full of toxic asbestos fiber, and that every time the shells are fired, they release hazardous quantities of asbestos directly into the shooters’ breathing zone. A unanimous jury in DuPont’s backyard did the right thing and delivered justice for Gene and hunters the world over.”