Cook County man files asbestos suit over lung cancer

A man is suing over allegations that asbestos exposure caused his lung cancer.

Pamela Balmes, guardian of Norman J. Shields' estate and person, filed a lawsuit Feb. 25 in the Cook County Court against A.W. Chesterton Co., Crane Co., Union Carbide Corp. and about a dozen other companies  tied to the manufacture and distribution of asbestos containing products.

According to the suit, Shields was exposed to asbestos while working in various capacities, including laborer and maintenance, from 1952 through 1981. Balmes claims Shields was diagnosed on April 22, 2012 with lung cancer, a direct result of his exposure to asbestos.

The plaintiff is seeking damages in an amount in excess of jurisdictional minimum and court costs and is being represented in the case by Chicago attorney Charles A. Porretta of Cooney & Conway.

Cook County Court Case No. 2014L001863.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Cook County Courthouse. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.