(L.A.) Albert Shelby, 71, Died in a Hospital

Case Number: 2018-08447

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 71-year-old Black male that occurred in a hospital.

The coroner’s office identified the man as Albert Shelby.

Manner of Death: Accident

Cause of Death: Malignant Mesothelioma

Other Significant Condition: Atherosclerotic and Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease

RIP ALBERT SHELBY (May 12, 1947 – November 2, 2018)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Friday at 8:14 p.m.

Mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure, can sometimes lead to complex determinations regarding the cause of death. While mesothelioma is typically recognized as a disease resulting from occupational exposure, the classification of death can vary.

In some cases, mesothelioma might be ruled as a natural death due to its classification as a disease, even though it is directly linked to environmental factors like asbestos exposure. However, if the asbestos exposure occurred in a work-related setting or due to negligence, the death might be considered an accident or even a wrongful death, potentially leading to legal claims.

This dual nature of mesothelioma — being both a disease and a condition linked to environmental factors — can complicate the legal and medical classification of such deaths.