Edwardsville, IL – An Illinois resident, who is allegedly suffering from malignant mesothelioma, has filed a lawsuit against more than hundred defendant corporations over allegations that his illness was wrongfully caused.
Ray Kean states in his lawsuit that he was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma, a disease exclusively caused by prior exposure to asbestos fibers. Kean filed his suit in the Madison County Circuit Court.
Kean states that he worked as a laborer between 1956 and 1970 and as a carpenter / millwright between 1970 and 1996. The suit says Kean’s asbestos exposure was foreseeable. The defendant corporations should have expected that, the suit claims. Kean says his illness was a result of his exposure to and inhalation or ingestion of hazardous asbestos fibres.
Kean argues that the asbestos-linked condition has disabled and disfigured him physically. It would continue to force him to spend and be liable for large amounts of money for medical and hospital costs because he needs constant medical care and treatment, the suit claims. Additionally, the plaintiff also has and will keep experiencing great pain and emotional anguish because of his terminal condition, the lawsuit states.
Mesothelioma prevented the plaintiff from going ahead with his normal course of employment, the complaint states, and thus he lost large amounts of money.
In the eleven-count suit, Kean is seeking judgment of more than $150000. He is also seeking more than $100000 punitive damages and exemplary damages, in addition to more than $300000 in compensatory damages. Keen is also seeking punitive damages in a sum sufficient to punish all the defendant corporations for their misconducts.
Mesothelioma, more specifically known as malignant mesothelioma, is an unusual and deadly cancer of the mesothelial cells in the membrane that lines the lungs (known as pleura). Sometimes it affects the membrane that covers the abdominal cavity as well (peritoneum). Mesothelial cells exist in the membrane which covers the outer surface of the body organs. Most people contracted malignant mesothelioma has a history of exposure to asbestos fibers, especially during their employment. However, even secondary exposure is dangerous and could cause asbestos-related diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. Secondary exposure takes place when a worker carries toxic asbestos dust home through their clothing and when or more family members deal with them. Mesothelioma that affects the pleura is called pleural mesothelioma. When the disease affects the peritoneum, it is known as peritoneal mesothelioma. Sometimes the cancer affects the protective layer that covers the heart and is known as pericardial mesothelioma.
