Woman files asbestos suit against dozens of companies; alleges first and second hand exposure

A woman who asserts she developed mesothelioma through first and second-hand exposure to asbestos has sued more than three dozen defendant companies.

Anne Karasek filed her suit Wednesday in the Cook County Circuit Court, claiming she was exposed to asbestos through her employment, as well her contact with the clothing and hair of her first and second husband.

The suit states that Karasek was employed from 1943 to 1985 as an office worker and was exposed to asbestos fibers through non-occupational work projects, such as automotive repairs and home remodeling.

She also asserts she was exposed to asbestos from the clothing of her first husband, Ernest Kamin, and her second husband, Walter Karasek.

Kamin, the suit states, was employed as a maintenance supervisor from 1943 to 1955 and Walter Karasek worked as a maintenance mechanic from 1977 to 1985.

Both of her husbands, her suit asserts, worked with products that were manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants, which include A.W. Chesterton Co., Crane Co., and CBS Corp., among several others.

Karasek asserts she became aware she developed mesothelioma on or about June 13, 2013 and that her exposure to asbestos fibers “was foreseeable and could or should have been anticipated by the defendants.”

Among other allegations, Karasek claims that “the defendants failed to exercise ordinary care and caution for the safety” of her and her two husbands when they included asbestos in their products and failed to warn about its dangers.

She contends that as a result of her exposure to asbestos, she has experienced “great physical pain and mental anguish,” has become hindered from enjoying her normal life activities and is compelled to spend and become liable for large sums of monies for hospital and medical services.

Her suit also includes a conspiracy count  alleging that some of the companies  knew about the dangers of asbestos, but agreed to withhold results of research studies and not warn their employees.

Karasek seeks a judgment against the defendants on each count in excess of the jurisdictional amount, as well as costs.

Michael T. Egan Jr. of Cooney & Conway in Chicago represents Karasek.