In a recent asbestos lawsuit against The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., a widow is suing the company for allegedly causing the death of her husband.

Plaintiff Jocelyn F. claims in the Goodyear asbestos lawsuit that her husband, Edward, died of lung cancer from workplace asbestos exposure, leaving behind his wife and two daughters. The asbestos lawsuit was filed on Sept. 29, 2014 in the Jefferson County District Court, citing gross negligence against the defendant.

According to the asbestos lung cancer lawsuit, Edward had been previously employed by Goodyear in Jefferson County, Texas, where he had been exposed to asbestos fibers and dust for decades. Allegedly, Goodyear had known about the dangers of asbestos exposure but failed to take any precautionary measures on behalf of Edward and their other employees, the lawsuit claims. Additionally, the lawsuit claims the defendant failed to warn or notify their employees and their families of the possible health complications of asbestos exposure, including that of second-hand asbestos exposure.

This means that dozens of families could have potentially been exposed to asbestos through the fibers attaching onto clothing and then being inhaled by other family members. While asbestos lung cancer is rare, the life expectancy of patients is shortened dramatically because of how aggressive the disease is. It is often diagnosed at a latent stage of development due to how long it takes for asbestos lung cancer to show any signs of its presence.

Jocelyn lost her husband on Nov. 27, 2013 when he finally succumbed to the disease, leaving the family to contend with the medical bills and other expenses. She decided to file legal action against Goodyear after discovering that the company had been using asbestos products for years, despite allegedly knowing the major health risks. Goodyear could potentially face major fines from the America government for failing to follow federal asbestos safety regulations.

As for Jocelyn and her family, they are seeking punitive and exemplary damages from the company and are seeking the maximum amount possible in penalties. The charges they are bringing against Goodyear include negligence and concealing information, as well as similar claims.

This asbestos lung cancer lawsuit is Jocelyn F. v. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., Case No. A-196165, in the Jefferson County District Court.

Overview of Asbestos Lung Cancer

Asbestos lung cancer is fairly rare and represents only four percent of all lung cancer cases in the United States. Similar to mesothelioma, this disease is caused by asbestos exposure and is often diagnosed at a late stage of development due to the slow onset of the symptoms.

Experts explain that when asbestos fibers are inhaled, they lodge themselves in the lining of the lungs and sit between 20 to 50 years before showing apparent signs of bodily damage. Additionally, scientists warn that the concentration and duration of asbestos exposure will worsen the patient’s situation, because the amount of time exposed to asbestos will increase the risk of asbestos lung cancer.

Despite the major health risks associated with asbestos it has been popularly used by manufacturing companies since the 1800s. Experts explain that the material is a cheap naturally occurring fiber that is fire and chemically resistant, and therefore was used in numerous construction projects throughout the ages. For this reason, legal and medical experts warn that former and current employees in certain occupation fields may be at higher risk for asbestos lung cancer. In particular, shipyards and factory settings have become infamous asbestos fields since the 1970s.

Currently, asbestos litigation has become one of the longest-running mass torts in the United States due to the long history of the fibers and the timing of the symptoms. Over 600,000 plaintiffs have filed legal action against over 6,000 defendants for allegedly exposing them to asbestos, which caused them severe and permanent health complications.