A new asbestos-related lawsuit filed in Madison County, Illinois is showing the world that people exposed to asbestos are not only at risk for developing mesothelioma cancer. Other cancers, including lung, gastrointestinal, and colon cancer may be caused by asbestos exposure.

Despite its known toxicity, asbestos was heavily used throughout the twentieth century in construction materials and thousands of other products. Due to this widespread usage, thousands of people across the country have paid the price with their health, dying from serious and painful diseases such as malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.

These three diseases have come to be considered as signature diseases of asbestos exposure. But some of those exposed to asbestos have developed cancers outside of these three, including prostate, breast, and colon cancers. It is not known whether asbestos directly causes these cancers, but many studies have shown asbestos exposure elevates the risk of developing them.

As a result, some asbestos-related lawsuits are filed by people who have developed cancers other than mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure. One such lawsuit was filed by Illinois resident Alan Howard, who claims that he developed colon cancer as a result of asbestos exposure.

The lawsuit, filed in Madison County Circuit Court on August 20, names a total of 60 defendant corporations, claiming that each either manufactured or distributed asbestos-containing products that contributed to Howard’s disease.

According to the lawsuit, Howard was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2007. The suit claims the defendants failed to provide suitable instructions for working with asbestos safely and wrongfully manufactured asbestos-containing products when an adequate substitute for asbestos was available.

Howard and his wife claim they both have suffered as a result of Howard’s colon cancer. Howard says he has suffered severe physical and mental pain, and has lost the ability to earn income since he is now unable to work. In addition, treatment measures have been very expensive. Howard’s wife is also seeking damages for the loss of her husband’s companionship, society, and services.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm and is filed under Asbestos Litigation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS feed. Responses are currently closed, but you trackback from your own site.