Lawsuit: Man says no warnings issued for asbestos products

When a company makes, sells or uses dangerous materials, they are supposed to warn others of the risks related to their product. Failure to do so can put that company in a position to be held liable for any illnesses or injuries that result from use of or exposure to that product. This is often what happens when people in North Carolina and nationwide get sick after being exposed to asbestos.

Companies have known that asbestos is toxic for quite some time now. But for years, many of them have continued to put employees and consumers at risk of exposure without warning them of the dangers associated with asbestos. Those who were exposed to asbestos without their knowledge or without adequate warning have the right to hold negligent parties accountable if and when they develop mesothelioma or other illnesses related to asbestos exposure.

One man is taking steps to hold parties accountable for their negligent asbestos practices which resulted in him developing lung cancer. The lawsuit states that dozens companies made asbestos-containing products that were used by the man when he worked as a tree trimmer more than 50 years ago.

According to his lawsuit, the man says that the companies named made products that contained asbestos which were then sold to consumers without adequate warnings that they could pose a threat to their health. It is also alleged that the companies could have substituted other materials for the asbestos, but they chose not to. They also failed to properly test their products to determine if they were safe. This resulted in the man’s direct and toxic exposure to asbestos, which led to his diagnosis of lung cancer.

Like others who have developed an asbestos-related illness, the man now wants the parties responsible for making the hazardous products to be held accountable for their negligence. He is seeking at least $50,000 in damages that he says have been suffered as a result of his exposure to asbestos.

Source: The Madison-St. Clair Record, “Lung cancer claimed in St. Clair County asbestos suit,” Johnnie Miller Cleaves, Jan. 10, 2014