I've been following this thread, and its terrible that dwayne has not had his car delivered. Before I bought my car, I realized from the buyer contract that I was buying it from the dealer, not shelby, a separate company, and there existed a possibility of something like this happening. Some of these dealers are involved in other businesses separate from shelby, some car related and others not, and did not depend solely on CSX4000 sales to keep their business alive. I would hope that SAI would back the dealers on issues related to the CSX4000 cars, but if a dealer used CSX4000 sales income to offset his other business ventures (losses), it's a problem. My sympathy for his situation. I'm glad that the issue looks like it's going to be resolved.
On another topic, his cancer condition, bladder cancer, I read the following
"Former ESU member wins 5.1 million jury award
reprinted from ESU News, March 22, 2002
On February 20, a Superior Court jury in Los Angeles ordered ExxonMobil/SeaRiver Maritime, Inc. to pay $5.1 million to Dwayne Gregory. As was reported in the Los Angeles Times, Mr. Gregory's legal argument alleged that toxic fumes emitted by crude
oil caused his bladder and prostate cancer.
Further, his case alleged that the Company waited 20 months to notify him that a Company physical in 1997 detected blood in his urine, which is a possible sign of bladder cancer. Mr. Gregory's attorney, Reed Morgan stated that by the time his cancer was diagnosed, it had spread to his prostate. The Company was ordered to pay Mr. Gregory $1.3 million for loss of earnings and medical expenses and $3.8 million for pain and suffering.
Mr. Gregory was hired by the Company on December 19, 1992 and was a dedicated employee until the Company terminated his employment in 2000 due to his medical condition. Prior to dismissal, Dwayne underwent chemotherapy and several surgeries with the intentions of returning to work. Due to his condition he requested to be placed in a position that would keep him away from petrochemicals but the Company failed to accommodate him.
During Dwayne's employment he was also a member and strong supporter of the Exxon Seamen's Union. Dwayne started his career with the Company as a Maintenance Seaman and was eventually promoted to Able Seamen. He held multiple endorsements and also sailed in the Engine department as QMED-Oiler. We wish Dwayne all the best in is ongoing struggle with his illness and hope for a full recovery. "
Although I'm not a urologist or specialist in bladder cancer, I didn't think petroleum exposure was a risk factor for development for bladder cancer. From what I know, smoking is by far the leading cause of bladder cancer. Regarding exposure to other chemicals, it was the exposure to aniline dyes, and other related compounds as used in hairdressing, printing, machinists, textile, and leather industries. In addition, it usually takes many years ( 20, 30, 40 years) of exposures to an enviromental chemical to have effects, not just 6 years as was Dwayne was exposed from the dates listed as employment in the article. From my personal experience in the past 20 years in medicine, every case of bladder cancer I was involved with was due to cigarette smoking, or at the very least, every case involved someone who had a significant history of smoking.
Unfortunately, once cancer has spread to the liver, it is a very bad situation. The vast majority of "liver" cancer is not actually "liver" cancer, but other cancer , many different types, that has spread to the liver. Primary liver cancer, called hepatoma, is not very common, but usually arises secondary to liver injury such as from hepatitis, cirrhosis, and is basically always fatal.
In summary, it is a sad situation for Dwayne, especially for his medical problem, and also that he was "wronged" by Finishline, especially in light of his medical condition.
However, although I don't know the details of his lawsuit against Exxon, I'm not sure that his 5.1 million judgement was appropriate, that is, his exposure to petroleum was the cause of his baldder cancer, and it wouldn't surprise me that actually Dwayne has a significant history of smoking, and in fact willingly contributed to his own development of bladder cancer, and Exxon ( or really all of us, as we all end up paying for lawsuits to corporations by their increased prices ) was shafted out of 5.1 million.
Just my thoughts.