Judge says second-hand smoke led to cancer

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- A judge ruled in favor of a New Jersey casino dealer claiming 10 years of exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke contributed to her lung cancer.

Judge Cosmo Giovinazzi, a New Jersey workers' compensation judge, issued a preliminary ruling Monday awarding Kam Wong roughly $150,000 for lost wages and medical expenses because second-hand smoke materially contributed to her lung cancer, The Press of Atlantic City (N.J.) reported Wednesday.

Wong, her husband and none of her family members smoked, nor was she exposed to significant amounts of cigarette smoke outside of work, her attorney, Lawrence Mintz said.

Wong worked as a dealer at the baccarat and poker tables at Claridge Casino Hotel since 1990 and developed lung cancer, losing an entire lung in 2000. She is no longer able to work, Mintz said.

The judge found the insurance provider for Claridge, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company, responsible for funding any future cancer treatment Wong may need, The Press of Atlantic City reported.

"It is slowly but surely becoming generally accepted that secondhand smoke is hazardous to your health," Mintz said.

Casino officials had no comment in the case.