Most people go to work every day with the belief that they are going to be in a safe environment. It is not at the forefront of most employees’ minds to question whether what they are doing could be hazardous to their health. Unfortunately, many people in Minnesota and across the country were exposed to asbestos while they were on the job, which has led to health complications in their later years.
A woman from another state is claiming that she developed lung cancer because of her interaction with asbestos-containing products from over 20 companies. From 1973 through 1983, the woman was employed as a powder weigher, during which time she was allegedly exposed to asbestos. The plaintiff’s husband worked in maintenance for 32 years and was also allegedly exposed to asbestos. Because of this, the plaintiff alleges that she also received second-hand exposure from her spouse.
According to her complaint, she believes that the defendants should have been aware that their products were capable of causing her harm because of the asbestos they contained. She also is accusing them of not providing her with adequate warnings that she could have been in danger of asbestos exposure. She blames the exposure to asbestos for the lung cancer with which she was diagnosed in 2013.
Minnesota workers who believe that they were exposed to asbestos due to employer negligence may choose to pursue legal recourse for their illnesses. If evidence dictates that an employer was responsible for the illness due to negligence, the workers may be awarded financial compensation. This compensation can help with the burden of medical bills and any other related financial losses tied to the exposure.
Source: cookcountyrecord.com, “Suit: Primary, secondary asbestos exposure caused woman’s lung cancer”, Mark Reccek, Jan. 20, 2015
