A longtime engineer recently filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against a slew of companies that employed him in his decades-long career.

The plaintiff, Mark A., has worked as a seaman and crew member for a number of ships and companies since the late 1960s, the mesothelioma lawsuit claims, and was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer. According to the lawsuit, Mark’s mesothelioma cancer diagnosis comes as a direct result of exposure to asbestos while on the job through his decades of engineering work on ships. Mark alleges that he was not adequately warned about or protected against the risks of asbestos exposure.

Mark’s mesothelioma lawsuit targets a list of ship owners whose ships and materials allegedly contained and exposed him to asbestos. The lawsuit alleges that the ships’ owners were negligent in their duty to workers, failing to warn them of asbestos risk and leading directly to Mark’s mesothelioma diagnosis.

Mark filed his mesothelioma lawsuit on Sept. 28 in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The lawsuit was filed on multiple counts. Mark also filed for punitive damages, claiming that the defendants’ “willful and wanton conduct” and “gross negligence” caused his cancer diagnosis. Mark is claiming $50 million in punitive damages, as well as $50 million in compensatory damages.

Asbestos Mesothelioma Cancer Basics

Mesothelioma is a dangerous form of cancer that affects thousands of Americans each year. It attacks the lining of the lungs, a thin layer of tissue known as the mesothelium. Mesothelioma cancer generally take a long period of time to develop—there is usually a delay of several decades between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma cancer diagnosis.

The vast majority of mesothelioma cases can be linked with exposure to asbestos. Not of all these cases involve direct exposure to the substance. There are also people, especially family members, who may be exposed to asbestos fibers secondhand over long periods of time, allowing fibers to build up.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used for manufacturing purposes such as electrical or building insulation, as well as countless other uses. Asbestos is a known carcinogen, a substance capable of causing cancer.

Filing an Asbestos Exposure Lawsuit

If you believe you may be suffering from mesothelioma cancer, you should tell your doctor and make note of your asbestos exposure, which may date to several decades in the past.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with or died from an asbestos-related disease like mesothelioma cancer after exposure to asbestos or asbestos products, such as asbestos exposure on the job, you may be able to file a mesothelioma lawsuit. Filing a mesothelioma lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering of cancer like mesothelioma, but it can help to alleviate the financial burden caused by medical bills and lost wages.

The Mesothelioma Lawsuit is Case No. 1:17-cv-07416-ALC, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York.