KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The family of a man who died of mesothelioma battled three major companies and won on Wednesday in a Clay County court.

The jury awarded the family of Robert Wagner a $4.5 million settlement in a suit that alleged that exposure to asbestos-contaminated products led to his death.

Wagner worked for years installing tiles, wood and other materials containing asbestos in buildings such as Crown Center and Kansas City International Airport. Much of the work was done before OSHA regulated construction sites for asbestos.

More than 30 years after working with the products Wagner died from mesothelioma, a cancer his family said he developed from exposure to the asbestos-contaminated materials.

The judgment was against Bondex International, Conwed Corporation and Simpson Timber Company.

After three weeks of testimony the jury found in favor of Wagner. Two jurors said the companies knew about the asbestos in the products but failed to determine how much exposure would be considered deadly.

Wagner's family declined comment as did the attorneys representing the companies.