Family of steelworker blame former employer, others for mesothelioma death

The family of a steelworker is suing over claims his death was caused by exposure to asbestos more than five decades ago.

Janet M. Pearson, individually and as special administrator of the Estate of Ronald W. Pearson, filed a lawsuit Aug. 5 in the Cook County Circuit Court against Arcelormittal USA LLC, successor in interest to Inland Steel Co.,  Crane Co. and more than a dozen other companies.

According to the complaint, Ronald worked as a steelworker at Arcelormittal USA from 1963 to 1979, during which time he was exposed to asbestos in products designed, manufactured, distributed and sold by the defendant companies.

Pearson states Ronald died May 17 from mesothelioma.

The defendants are accused of negligence in using asbestos in their products and failing to warn users of the dangers.

Pearson is seeking more than $50,000 in damages and is being represented in the case by Nicholas Vogelzang of  Connelly & Vogelzang in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L008162.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Cook County Circuit Court. 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.