Kin of Worker Killed by Mesothelioma File Lawsuit

Relatives of a Texas man who died from the deadly form of lung cancer mesothelioma after being exposed to toxic asbestos on the job have filed a lawsuit accusing his former employers of negligently failing to warn or protect him from the risks of exposure to asbestos.

Lewis Ayala died in September 2008 after working for years in shipyards, refineries, paper mills, chemical plants, and steel mills. Ayala developed mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive form of liver and lung cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, the toxic material used in insulation and other products.
Ayala’s suit, filed June 2, 2009 in Jefferson County District Court, names 37 defendants, including A.O. Smith Corp., A.W. Chesterton Co., Afton Pumps, Alcoa, American Biltrite, BNSF Railway Company, Beazer East, Bird Corporation, CBS Corporation, Crane Co., Fairbanks Morse Pump Company, FMC Corporation, GE, IMO Industries, Tamko Roofing Products, and Zurn Industries, according to a report in the Southeast Texas Record.
In addition to negligently exposing Ayala to asbestos at work, the suit accuses the employers of failing to properly test products they made for possible health hazards and failing to remove dangerous products from the market.
Ayala’s relatives claim the case of mesothelioma caused their loved one to suffer extreme physical pain, suffering, mental anguish, lost wages, disfigurement, and physical impairment. The relatives also are seeking unspecified financial punitive and exemplary damages and other costs for Ayala’s medical bills, funeral costs, and other losses caused by his death.
Mesothelioma is caused when tiny asbestos fibers are inhaled or otherwise ingested into the body, where they can cause irritation and encourage the growth of cancerous tumors in the tissues lining the heart, lungs, liver, and abdomen.
There is no cure for mesothelioma, which may not show symptoms for decades after the victim has first been exposed to asbestos. Most people stricken with mesothelioma are workers who were in close contact with asbestos on the job, however, some relatives who washed work clothes carrying asbestos fibers and others close to exposed workers also have developed the deadly form of cancer.

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