A woman from South Carolina has filed an asbestos lawsuit on behalf of herself and her deceased husband, alleging a wrongful death due to asbestos exposure.

According to the text of the asbestos lawsuit, the deceased, Charles W. died from asbestosis and other asbestos diseases due to asbestos exposure. The asbestos lawsuit was filed by his widow, plaintiff Nova W.

The asbestos lawsuit holds that Charles was exposed to asbestos through the course of his work across South Carolina, and eventually died of asbestos diseases, including asbestosis.

The asbestos lawsuit holds that a number of defendants are liable for Charles’ alleged premature death. This includes companies that allegedly produced asbestos-bearing products that Charles encountered over the course of his employment, as well as companies that employed him in conditions that allegedly exposed him to asbestos.

The asbestos lawsuit names 14 defendants in all. Several are “successors in interest” the companies that allegedly exposed Charles to asbestos, meaning the companies named in the asbestos lawsuit somehow bought enough of older companies to bear the legal responsibility for their alleged actions.

Much of his alleged asbestos exposure took place during Charles’ work as a control room operator at electric and gas companies, and while serving in the U.S. Navy.

The asbestos lawsuit holds that the various defendants named were liable because they knew—or reasonably should have known—that asbestos exposure could cause asbestos diseases like mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, and asbestosis. The asbestos lawsuit further alleges that these defendants either sold asbestos-bearing products or put Charles in situations where he could face asbestos exposure, an act the asbestos lawsuit describes as negligent and reckless.

The asbestos lawsuit also describes Charles’ illness and suffering from diseases allegedly stemming from his asbestos exposure: “decedent [Charles W.] suffered great pain, extreme nervousness, and mental anguish as a direct result of the aforesaid injuries.”

The asbestos lawsuit holds that these actions made the various defendants liable for Charles’ death. As such, the asbestos lawsuit seeks to recoup the cost of Charles’ medical care, compensation for his wrongful death, compensation for lost of her husband’s company, compensation for Charles’ pain and suffering, and other costs.

Additionally, the asbestos lawsuit seeks punitive damages. Punitive damages are a type of lawsuit award given to punish offenders beyond the cost of compensating a victim.

As the name implies, punitive damages are designed to discourage further misconduct. U.S. law greatly restricts punitive damages, only allowing them under very specific circumstances. But asbestos lawsuits are one of the few cases when this type of award is allowed.

Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawsuits

Though most applications of asbestos were phased out of the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s, asbestos lawsuits like this one continue to work their way through the court system.

This is because many diseases that may result from asbestos exposure may take decades to fully manifest, including mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer, and asbestosis.

Additionally, many workers may be exposed to old asbestos through work remodeling old buildings, which may have asbestos bound up in their walls and ceilings. Though very little asbestos is still used in the U.S., asbestos lawsuits will likely be an ongoing issue for decades to come.

The Asbestos Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-04627-ASB in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, Charleston Division.