Buddy Company Inc. is facing a mesothelioma lawsuit from a distraught family alleging the company was responsible by failing to take any preventative measures relating to asbestos exposure.

The deceased individual worked for the company, previously known as Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe (ATSF) Railroad, and was exposed to asbestos on a daily basis.

Plaintiffs Lorine H. and Nancy L. are filing this mesothelioma lawsuiton behalf of their husband and father, Leo H., respectively.

Mesothelioma is an extremely rare form of lung cancer which is specifically caused by asbestos exposure. This disease can be prevented through different precautionary measures, as well as through specialized equipment like breathing masks.

According to the mesothelioma lawsuit, Leo worked as a Coach Carman for the company for over forty years. From 1952 to 1993, Leo worked in a number of occupations for the company, installing insulation pipping and other parts composed of asbestos fibers.

On a daily basis, Leo inhaled the asbestos fibers from his work environment and possibly brought asbestos fibers home to his family when they attached to his clothes.

Asbestos Exposure Complications Lead to Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Asbestos exposure can be either first hand or second hand, with second hand exposure being a big problem for family members of employees who have worked in occupations with asbestos.

The asbestos fibers attach themselves to the clothes of the workers, which are then inhaled by other family members when they handled the clothes.

However first hand exposure has become the subject of numerous product liability lawsuits over the years, as numerous companies allegedly failed to protect their workers from asbestos exposure.

Asbestos fibers are incredibly small and invisible to the naked eye, making inhaling or swallowing them dangerously easy.

While harmless if dormant, asbestos fibers can travel far and wide throughout their environment if released. There are severe health complications associated with asbestos exposure, including mesothelioma and asbestos lung cancer.

While both cancers are directly linked to asbestos exposure, mesothelioma is characterized by cancer cells festering in the mucus lining of the lungs while asbestos lung cancer affects the organ directly.

Leo was reportedly no different in this regard, as he eventually died from mesothelioma on April 13, 2012.

Before the 1980s, asbestos was widely used for different manufacturing and insulation purposes. When it was discovered that asbestos could pose major health problems, the federal government implemented strict asbestos removal procedures to contain the damage.

Lorine and Nancy are filing this mesothelioma lawsuit, alleging the company knew the risks of asbestos exposure for years but did nothing to protect Leo. Lorine and Nancy are seeking damages for negligence and wrongful death in their mesothelioma lawsuit.

The Mesothelioma Lawsuit is Case No. 2:16-cv-000572, in the U.S. District Court, Shawnee County, Kansas Civil Department – K.S.A. Chapter 60.