A new asbestos lung cancer lawsuit was recently filed against 3M Company, also known as Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, along with several other companies, alleging that the defendants wrongfully exposed Plaintiff Wade G. to dangerous asbestos fibers, which led to his mesothelioma cancer.

According to the asbestos lawsuit, Wade was diagnosed with mesothelioma in May of 2015. Wade claims he was exposed to toxic asbestos fibers while working as an insulator, carpenter, and maintenance worker for Daniels Construction in North Carolina between 1971 and 1990.

While working for Daniels Construction Wade was exposed to asbestos containing talc and several asbestos containing products and equipment, including various brands of boilers, gaskets, electric generators, pumps, and valves. Wade also used 3M dust masks while on the job.

The claims brought by Wade against the defendants include negligence, strict products liability, breach of warranty, failure to warn, and loss of consortium. Loss of consortium claims are generally brought by a plaintiff’s spouse. Wade’s spouse, Faye G. joins the lawsuit as a co-plaintiff and claims that they lost spousal intimacy due to the plaintiff’s injuries. Wade and Faye are asking for both compensatory and punitive damages in this asbestos lung cancer lawsuit.

Asbestos Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. Each year, approximately 200,000 new cases are diagnosed. The causes of lung cancer generally vary and are rarely attributable to only one factor. The majority of lung cancer cases are thought to be caused by tobacco inhalation, but many cases have been caused by asbestos exposure.

Over 4,800 people die each year in the United States from asbestos related lung cancer. In almost all cases, asbestos lung cancers are associated with tobacco inhalation. This causes many manufacturers and marketers of asbestos to assert that a victim’s asbestos lung cancer was not caused by asbestos, but rather by the victims tobacco use. However, many asbestos lung cancer cases have been successfully argued in various courts and have resulted in awards for the plaintiffs.

Asbestos Exposure Risk On the Job

Studies have suggested that certain occupations create a higher risk of exposure to asbestos and the development of asbestos cancers. Careers that have a higher risk of asbestos exposure include U.S. military and Navy shipyard workers, roofers, construction workers, plumbers, paper mill workers, and various other professions.

Asbestos lung cancer can take 20 to 50 years after exposure to develop symptoms.

Asbestos Cancer Lawsuits

Hundreds of asbestos cancer lawsuits have been filed in both state and federal court,s and billions of dollars in compensation have been awarded to asbestos mesothelioma victims.

Absestos lung cancer attorneys are currently looking for potential plaintiffs to bring asbestos lawsuits against various manufacturers and marketers. Plaintiffs may have the opportunity to bring a lawsuit individually or as a member in a class action lawsuit. This is a decision that should be made on a case by case basis with the advice of a legal professional.

The Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 1:15-cv-00465, in the U.S. District for the Middle District of North Carolina, Durham Division.