The heir of a deceased man is filing a asbestos wrongful death lawsuit against companies her family member worked for. She is claiming that he died because of exposure to asbestos while in his working environments.

Plaintiff Elizabeth M., family member of Bobby Joe M., has filed this asbestos wrongful death lawsuit against 3M Co., Foster Wheeler LLC and Trane US Inc., according to this asbestos wrongful death lawsuit.

In her asbestos wrongful death lawsuit, Elizabeth claims that Bobby Joe worked as a construction maintenance man, carpenter and roofer between the years 1958 to 1985 in both Alabama and Mississippi. Elizabeth claims that Bobby Joe was “exposed to and inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by defendants.”

She has filed this asbestos wrongful death lawsuit in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court and alleges strict liability, negligence and other counts.

Elizabeth states that Bobby Joe died on July 29, 2016, allegedly of lung cancer due to asbestos exposure. The defendants, according to Elizabeth, should be held accountable for the death of Bobby Joe because they did not protect him properly from the risks of asbestos exposure in the workplace. She adds that they failed to provide adequate warnings or instructions about working around asbestos.

In her asbestos wrongful death lawsuit, she also claims that the defendants “negligently included asbestos fibers in their products when adequate substitutes were available.”

How can Asbestos Exposure Cause Cancer?

Asbestos is a mineral that naturally occurs in the earth. It has been mined for use in certain industries for its heat resistant and flame retardant qualities.

If asbestos is left undisturbed, it is not harmful to humans. However, if it is disturbed, asbestos fibers can be ingested or inhaled. If asbestos fibers are inhaled and end up in the lungs, they cannot be expelled.

Over time, these small fibers can create inflammation in the lungs. This inflammation can create the environment for the development of cancer. Both asbestos lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining of the lungs) is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers.

Cancer from asbestos inhalation does not happen immediately but can take years, even decades, to develop. Many times, workers who are exposed to asbestos on the job do not realize they may have been at risk for cancer until long after the fact.

In Elizabeth’s asbestos wrongful death lawsuit, Bobby Joe did not die from asbestos lung cancer until close to 30 years after he was exposed.

If your loved one has died from cancer due to asbestos exposure, even if it is many years after exposure, you may be able to file an asbestos wrongful death lawsuit. Speaking with an experienced attorney may help you determine the best legal options for you and your family.

While filing an asbestos wrongful death lawsuit cannot bring a loved one back to life, it can help hold employers responsible for not taking care of their workers.