In a recent mesothelioma lawsuit, a 61-year-old man is suing Morehead State University alleging he suffered chronic health problems after asbestos exposure.

Medical records indicate that this asbestos exposure was directly responsible for the plaintiff to develop the rare form of lung cancer, mesothelioma.

Plaintiff Lewis W., a resident of Kentucky, filed the asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit against the university, stating that his health problems were caused when he spent time there as a student and employee.

From 1998 to 2002, Lewis had studied at the university and had eventually earned his degree in nursing. He had extended his stay at the university from 2004 to 2007, when he became employed as a multi-media coordinator in the University’s Department of Nursing.

Despite his success at the educational institution, Lewis claims that it was his time at the university that drastically cut his life short; he is only expected to live two more years with the current progression of his mesothelioma.

Lewis was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2014. After he was unable to work and had been forced to return to Kentucky from Arizona, where he had been working on a Native American reservation in Arizona. Lewis claims nearly 100 buildings on the campus potentially contained asbestos, and he most likely breathed it in on a daily basis.

Overview of Asbestos Mesothelioma Complications

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was used popularly during World War II and beyond due to its chemical and fire resistant qualities, mainly for insulation, auto parts, and other construction purposes. Unfortunately, it has not been until recently that experts have discovered how devastating the effects of this material.

Mesothelioma, one of the many severe health problems associated with asbestos, is a rare form of lung cancer that attacks the mucus lining of the lungs.

It is mainly caused by the asbestos fibers that are released in the air, which are unintentionally inhaled or swallowed by unexpected victims; these fibers then become lodged in the lungs or stomach, eventually festering into cancer cells when given enough time.

Experts warn that it can take between 20 yrs to 50 yrs for mesothelioma to show any symptoms, at which point the condition is probably at a latent stage. Many older citizens of America have found themselves diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer, with little treatment options and short life expectancy, in result.

While the general public was widely unaware of these side effects until the litigation movement picked up, manufacturing companies and other businesses had allegedly known about these facts for years.

Lewis alleges similar claims, as he filed his asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit on Aug. 11, 2015 in the Rowan Circuit Court seeking $1 million in lost wages, $1 million for pain and suffering, and another $20 million for other punitive damages.

He states that his lung cancer has prevented him from working since 2010, and states that the University owes him compensation for exposing him to the risks of asbestos health problems, and doing nothing to prevent it.

Additionally, Lewis is also asking that his asbestos lawsuit is given class action status to go up against the University with claims that the 100 buildings allegedly contain asbestos. From this, the plaintiff is seeking to set up a $1 billion trust fund to compensate other victims, who have also suffered asbestos exposure.

Furthermore, Lewis states that not only would this trust be helpful to the victims, but it will also force the University to address the serious problem. While the University has not commented on the asbestos lawsuit, Lewis states that he will do whatever it takes to correct the dangerous problem of asbestos exposure.