Manufacturing company Alcatel-Lucent, USA Inc. is facing an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit from a couple alleging second-hand asbestos exposure caused the wife to develop the deadly lung cancer.

After working for the defendant and its associates for a number of years as a plumber, the husband is filing this asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit alongside his wife due to the companies allegedly failing to warn them against the dangers of first-hand and second-hand asbestos exposure.

North Carolina plaintiff couple Linda and Jimmy S. are filing legal action against Alcatel-Lucent, USA Inc. for incorporating and using asbestos contaminated products on a daily basis for a number of their projects.

Jimmy worked for the company from the 1960s to 2003. He had allegedly picked up asbestos fibers from his job on a daily basis for over 40 years, from the time he started his employment until 2003.

Linda had greeted her husband after the job on a daily basis as well, including hugging him and directly handling his clothes for washing. During this daily process, Linda had reportedly suffered second-hand asbestos exposure that allegedly directly resulted in her developing mesothelioma.

While first-hand exposure to asbestos is always dangerous to the workers who work around the fibrous material directly, families are also at risk when loved ones unintentionally bring the fibers home. Second hand asbestos exposure occurs when family members inhale the fibers brought home, from clothing or otherwise.

Overview of Asbestos Exposure Danger

Asbestos is a fibrous material popularly used for manufacturing and construction purposes for its chemical and fire resistant qualities. This was before health officials discovered the extreme health risks in the 1980s.

Before that time, asbestos had been regularly used for insulation material in Navy ships, with numerous manufacturing companies utilizing the material for its versatility and as an economically friendly plumbing material.

The adverse complications of inhaling asbestos have been well documented by researchers, with mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer being some of the most serious health risks.

Mesothelioma is a rare form of lung cancer that is characterized as cancer cells spreading in the mucus lining of the lungs, and is specifically caused by first-hand or second-hand asbestos exposure. Similarly, asbestos lung cancer is also caused by exposure, with the cancer attacking the organ itself.

Oftentimes patients who develop either mesothelioma or asbestos lung cancer do not know in its early stages, due to the slow development of the diseases. Patients have reported symptoms developing as late as 50 years after exposure. By this point, there are usually very few treatment options available.

Linda was diagnosed with mesothelioma on May 12, 2016, and is currently contending with the disease. Linda and Jimmy allege the companies knew or should have known the risks of first-hand and second-hand asbestos exposure, and provided sufficient warning to them.

The Second-Hand Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit is Case No. 1:16-cv-00953, in the U.S. District Court of Middle North Carolina, Greensboro Division.