A.W. Chesterton, Crane, others named in asbestos suit

A Cook County man is suing after being diagnosed with mesothelioma that he claims was caused from asbestos exposure.

Richard Schlaff filed a lawsuit April 15 in the Cook County Circuit Court against A.W. Chesterton Co., H.B. Fuller Co., Union Carbide Corp. and dozens of others, citing asbestos exposure.

Schlaff contends he was exposed to asbestos between 1955 and 1976 while he worked as a student, laborer, physician and home remodeler at various locations with or around products the defendants manufactured and distributed.

According to the suit, Schlaff was diagnosed with mesothelioma on Oct. 28.

Schlaff is seeking damages in excess of the jurisdictional minimum and court costs. He is being represented in the case by Chicago attorney Michael T. Egan of Cooney & Conway.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L004200.

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.