Hundreds of companies named in separate asbestos mesothelioma lawsuits

Eighteen people are suing 147 companies separately for their asbestos-related health problems, reports the West Virginia Record. Fourteen complaints were filed in Kanawha Circuit Court on August 11.

The 18 plaintiffs claim the defendants exposed them to the hazardous asbestos material. The material was most often inhaled. They claim such exposure caused their lung injuries.

Asbestos is a highly toxic material, once exploited for its fire retardant properties. Although now banned, the material lies within many older homes and buildings. When disturbed, the material can become airborne, and pose a serious health risk to those exposed.

When inhaled, the particles lodge themselves in the lungs, which, ultimately, cause diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is the rarest and most aggressive asbestos-related disease. The internal linings of the lung, heart and abdominal cavities are most often affected by the cancer.

Due to an extended latency period, many doctors struggle to diagnose patients in the early stages of their disease. Once patients are diagnosed, however, they tend to undergo mesothelioma treatment. Such palliative treatment most often involves chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.

The plaintiffs claim the defendants failed to warn them of the dangers of the products. They also claim they knew of the risk asbestos exposure poses, and failed to tell them of it.

The plaintiffs are being represented by David P. Chervenick, Bruce E. Mattock, Lee W. Davis and Scott S. Segal.