A recent asbestos cancer mesothelioma lawsuit claims that manufacturers failed to warn the public about the hazards posed by their products.

Plaintiff Robert N. claims that companies including CBS Corporation (formerly Westinghouse Electric Corporation), General Electric Company, and more failed to warn him that their products contained asbestos. Robert was reportedly exposed to these asbestos containing products while in the U.S. Navy from 1960 to 1964 and while working at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard from 1965 to 1980.

Due to his exposure to asbestos, Robert allegedly developed mesothelioma and was diagnosed with the cancer in October 2018.

According to the Mayo Clinic, asbestos cancer mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly cancer which affects the thin layer of tissue covering the internal organs. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common and affects the lungs. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining of the abdominal cavity and pericardial mesothelioma affects the lining of the heart.

Mesothelioma is a dangerous condition which is often fatal. The primary risk factor for this deadly disease is exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is a natural material which can be pulled into thin fibers that are naturally resistant to heat, fires, chemicals, and electricity. The natural properties of the material made it extremely popular through the end of the 1900s.

However, despite the material’s many uses, asbestos has been linked to a variety of health problems including cancer. When asbestos containing products are moved or shifted, they can release microscopic asbestos fibers. Although they cannot be seen or tasted, the asbestos fibers can be ingested and inhaled. Once in the body, asbestos fibers can to serious damage on a cellular level which increases the risk of cancer.

The National Cancer Institute reports that the risks involved with asbestos lead to regulatory action soon after they were discovered. In the late 1970s, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) banned the usage of asbestos in certain industrial uses. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] banned all new use of asbestos and established regulations for asbestos in schools.

Although the material has been mostly banned throughout the country, individuals who were previously in contact with asbestos or are in contact with previously installed asbestos may be at risk for exposure and subsequent health issues. The Mayo Clinic reports that workers who may be at risk for asbestos exposure include: asbestos miners, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, insulators, shipyard workers, demolition workers, brake mechanics, military personnel, home remodelers, and more.

Robert claims that manufacturing companies knew or should have known that their asbestos containing products were dangerous. Yet the companies allegedly failed to warn Robert about the risks and did not provide guidance on safety measures he could take to protect himself.

The asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit argues that Robert’s exposure to the material and subsequent cancer diagnosis caused him injuries such as pain, suffering, disability, medical expenses, and other economic losses. Robert seeks general damages, special damages, economic damages, punitive damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees.

The Asbestos Cancer Mesothelioma Lawsuit is Case No. 2:19-cv-00035 in the Superior Court of the State of Washington in and for the County of King.