3M Company and other manufacturing companies are facing serious product liability allegations from a couple who claim the company’s asbestos containing products caused the husband to develop long-term health problems.

Michigan plaintiff couple John A. and Lorraine A. allege the asbestos containing products caused regular exposure to deadly fibrous material, which caused permanent lung cancer. According to the asbestos lawsuit, John was exposed to the asbestos containing products in Texas and would regularly work with these materials for his job.

According to the asbestos lawsuit, John worked in a manufacturing job in which he had to use the asbestos containing products daily. This caused him to regularly inhale the dangerous fibers, he claims, and it allowed the fibers to attach to his clothes and cause second hand exposure to Lorraine.

John was eventually diagnosed with devastating asbestos disease and is currently contending with his condition.

Overview of Asbestos Health Concerns

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was popularly used before the 1980s for a variety of manufacturing and construction purposes. Due to its fire and chemical resistant qualities, its popularity reached its peak in World War II when it was utilized for insulation in numerous Navy ships and shipyards.

Asbestos was also commonly used in the railroad industry and in many other industrial applications. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warned asbestos containing products could potentially induce fatal health complications, and classified the material as carcinogenic.

There are a number of strict policies in place in regards to asbestos removal, with companies and individuals facing stiff legal penalties if found to be in violation. While asbestos is harmless when dormant, it becomes extremely dangerous to the surrounding environment and its occupants when the fibers are released into the air.

When asbestos fibers are inhaled or swallowed, they can become entrapped in the linings of the lungs or stomach respectively. When the fibers become entrapped in the mucus lining of the lungs, mesothelioma can potentially develop.

This rare form of cancer is specifically caused by asbestos exposure, and it can take up to 50 years to for the patient to exhibit symptoms. This often results in late diagnosis and limited treatment options, with patients often only having a few years left to live after diagnosis.

Even though mesothelioma and other asbestos health problems can be devastating to patients, plaitniffs claim 3M and other manufacturing companies have allegedly failed to adequately warn the public against this.

The plaintiffs claim 3M Company and other other companies named in this lawsuit were directly responsible for manufacturing and distributing the asbestos containing products, which caused regular exposure. John and Lorraine are filing legal action against the companies, alleging they either knew or should have known the dangers associated with their asbestos containing products.

During all times relevant, the couple claims 3M Company and the other defendants provided no safety equipment or preventive instructions nor gave any disclosure of potential asbestos exposure. John and Lorraine are filing this asbestos lawsuit, seeking multiple damages for negligence and failure to warn.

This Asbestos Lawsuit is Case No. 4:17-cv-03755 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.