Former laborer lodges asbestos suit over mesothelioma

A man is suing dozens of companies, claiming he developed mesothelioma after working with asbestos-containing products for more than three decades.

Ralph Swan filed suit June 26 in Cook County Circuit Court against A.W. Chesterton Co., Crane Co., H.B. Fuller Co. and others.

According to the complaint, Swan was employed from 1965 until 2000 in various capacities including laborer, welder, construction worker and automotive mechanic at several locations.

During this time, Swan claims he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos while working with products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants.

The suit states Swan was diagnosed with mesothelioma on Dec. 17.

He is seeking damages in excess of jurisdictional limits, plus costs, and is represented by Chicago attorney James R. Hopkinson of Cooney & Conway.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L006769.

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.