A jury has awarded $6 million to a Shaler couple for injuries the husband received after repeated exposure to asbestos.

The Common Pleas Court jury ordered DeZurik Inc. of Sartell, Minn., to pay the money to William and Lois Lisac.

William Lisac, 62, a member of Steamfitters Local 449 for more than 40 years, was exposed to asbestos during the 1960s and 1970s when he worked with valves, gaskets and other products that contained the material at power plants, chemical plants and steel mills. He said DeZurik never warned him that he was working with a dangerous and deadly substance.

"I'd give the money back in a minute if I could have my health back," he said yesterday.

A year ago, Lisac was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, a cancer that attacked his lungs. Attorneys Janice Savinis, John Kane and Jason Luckasevic of Goldberg, Persky & White, who represented the couple, said DeZurik was the only company that decided to go to trial. The other companies entered into confidential settlements. DeZurik manufactures valves that contain asbestos.

A jury of three men and nine women deliberated almost four hours before awarding Lisac and his wife $3 million each. Judge Timothy P. O'Reilly presided at the seven-day trial.