A United States Navy veteran is filing an asbestos lung cancer lawsuit against a number of manufacturing companies, alleging they failed to warn him about potential asbestos exposure.

The companies named in this asbestos lung cancer included CBS Corporation and General Electric Company, both of which provided materials or components the claimants worked with and allegedly caused the asbestos exposure.

Plaintiff Ralph H. filed the asbestos lung cancer lawsuit soon after his diagnosis, alleging the companies failed to warn him against potential asbestos exposure. Ralph says he served with the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1970 as a machinist’s mate (MMCS) and was stationed on a number of different Navy vessels.

Ralph had also been stations at a nuclear submarine prototype facility, which was designed and built by General Electric Company. Soon after, Ralph was employed as an outside machinist at Electric Boat shipyard in Connecticut.

During his employment and military service, Ralph had been allegedly exposed to asbestos on a daily basis and was unaware of the potential health risks until his diagnosis. Ralph says that as a result of this daily asbestos exposure, he was diagnosed with asbestos lung cancer and has had to contend with the condition.

Ralph had opted to file the asbestos lung cancer lawsuit soon thereafter, alleging the companies either knew or should have known the asbestos risks associated with their products.

Overview of Asbestos Lung Cancer Complications

Asbestos is a fibrous material that was popularly used for manufacturing proposes before the 1980s, with its popularity reaching its peak in World War II. Its popularity stems from the fact that the material was very cheap for manufacturing companies to use, and was highly resistant to fire and chemical damage.

This made it an ideal choice for a variety of construction and insulation purposes, especially when used for insulation piping in Navy vessels and materials often used by machinists. Even though asbestos was considered very useful, health officials began warning the public against the potential dangerous associated with asbestos exposure.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) stated in 1986 that asbestos lung cancer is a significant risk for people who work with the material. Asbestos lung cancer is one of these complications, which is caused when patients inhale asbestos fibers released in the air.

When the fibers become lodged in the lungs, they eventually fester after a number of years and trigger the development of cancer cells. Asbestos lung cancer is a rare variant of lung cancer, which accounts for approximately 4% of all lung cancer fatalities in the United States.

It is important to note that asbestos lung cancer can take up to 35 years to progress to the point where symptoms are shown, often resulting in latent diagnosis and limited treatment options. Health officials warn that military veterans or retried manufacturing laborers may be at significant risk for asbestos health problems, due to the likelihood of exposure.

Manufacturing companies using asbestos products have the civil responsibility of warning the public against potential exposure, or should provide protective equipment to prevent swallowing inhalation of the fibers.

During all times relevant, Ralph states he was never given disclosure about asbestos exposure and that caused him to take no precaution against the risks.

This Asbestos Lung Cancer Lawsuit is Case No. 3:17-cv-01493-SRU in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.