Couple sues over alleged asbestos exposure, loss of companionship

A Cook County couple is suing dozens of companies after the wife was diagnosed with mesothelioma from alleged asbestos exposure.

Florence Provencher and Melvin Provencher filed a lawsuit March 12 in the Cook County Circuit Court against A.W. Chesterton Co., Crane Co., H.B. Fuller Co. and dozens of others, citing asbestos exposure and loss of companionship.

The plaintiffs claim Florence Provencher was exposed to asbestos between 1955 and 1985 while working as a clerk and teacher with or around products manufactured and distributed by the defendants. They also claim secondhand exposure, alleging she was exposed to asbestos from her father's work clothes.

According to the suit, Florence was diagnosed as having mesothelioma, as a direct result of his exposure to asbestos. Florence's husband, Melvin, is also suing for loss of companionship of his wife.

The plaintiffs are seeking damages in an amount in excess of jurisdictional minimum and court costs. They are being represented in the case by Chicago attorney Timothy G. Martin of Cooney & Conway.

Cook County Court Case No. 2014L002951.

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.