A Massachusetts man has filed a lawsuit against P.S. Thorson, alleging that the company’s negligence caused his exposure to asbestos that caused serious injuries.

The lawsuit was filed by plaintiff William E. over exposure to asbestos that he says led to his diagnosis of  mesothelioma cancer.

William’s asbestos lawsuit says that for over a decade, between 1958 and 1970, his father Charles worked as a radiographer in Massachusetts at a shipyard, and was exposed to asbestos there through products sold by the defendants. William, in turn, suffered from exposure to asbestos after it had contaminated his father’s clothes at the shipyard.

William says he inhaled or ingested asbestos dust and fibers brought home from the shipyard via his father’s clothing, and this long-term exposure to asbestos he claims led to his mesothelioma diagnosis.

William filed the lawsuit against P.S. Thorson, which he alleges manufactured and sold the asbestos-containing products that led to his exposure to asbestos and eventual diagnosis with mesothelioma. According to the lawsuit, P.S. Thorson should have given adequate warnings and instructions about how to safely use asbestos-containing products, but failed to do so, placing workers and their families at risk.

The lawsuit was filed on Jan. 18, 2018, in Massachusetts. It was filed on multiple counts, including negligence, and breach of express and implied warranties, among others. William’s wife, Helen E., also filed on one count of loss of consortium.

What is Asbestos?

Asbestos, a naturally-occurring mineral, was an extremely popular material used for commercial purposes like in electrical products or building insulation, as well as countless other uses. Over time, however, exposure to asbestos containing products was connected with serious risks, including mesothelioma cancer.

As these risks have become more well known, more and more asbestos regulations have been put in place to protect workers and the general public. Because of these regulations, since the 1970s and 1980s the use of asbestos-containing products has diminished greatly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned asbestos in 1989.

Of course, many old buildings still have asbestos-containing materials, so construction and demolition can lead to dangerous exposure to asbestos if the proper precautions are not taken.

Exposure to Asbestos

When a person suffers from exposure to asbestos, microscopic fibers can accumulate in a person’s lungs. The fibers can attach and attack the lining of the lungs, and spread even further to other organs. Exposure to asbestos can lead to serious medical issues, including mesothelioma cancer and lung cancer.

Mesothelioma can take decades to develop, which can mean that it is diagnosed at a late stage of development, when it has grown more dangerous. This can mean fewer treatment options.

Filing a Lawsuit After Exposure to Asbestos

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

The Exposure to Asbestos Lawsuit is Case No. 1:18-cv-10101-RGS, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.