Rubert “Bert” Minton worked at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, Inc. (formerly known as Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company) from 1956 to 1979 as a shipfitter and commercial ship repair foreman and supervisor. During his time at the shipyard, Minton worked on 17 Exxon commercial oil tankers, which allegedly contained asbestos. In 2009, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. In March 2011, a Virginia jury awarded him more than $25 million in damages, including $12 million in compensatory damages, $862,000 in medical expenses and interest, and $12.5 million in punitive damages.