Estate of deceased laborer files asbestos suit

Dozens of defendants are being sued over claims a man died from asbestos exposure.

Kathy Duffy, as special administrator of the Estate of Herman A. Schwarck, filed an asbestos litigation complaint March 20 in the Cook County Circuit Court against A.W. Chesterton Co. and several other defendant companies.

According to the complaint, Schwarck was exposed to asbestos containing products from 1948 until 1979, during which time he worked in various capacities, including as a laborer.

Duffy claims the defendants were negligent and knew or should have known asbestos could cause injury or death. As a result of the alleged asbestos exposure, the suit states Schwarck developed lung cancer and died on June 19, 2012.

The plaintiff is asking for an undisclosed amount and is being represented by Matthew J. Adair of Cooney & Conway.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L003249.

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 that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it represents only one side of the story.