Woman files asbestos suit over father's lung cancer, death

The daughter of a former laborer is suing over allegations her father died from lung cancer that was the result of asbestos exposure from nearly three decades ago.

Cinthya Raye South, executor of the Estate of Raymond Traughber, filed a complaint Nov. 20 in Cook County Circuit Court against A.W. Chesterton Co., H.B. Fuller Co. and several others companies.

According to the complaint, Traughber was employed from 1955 to 1985 in a variety of capacities, including as laborer at different locations. During his employment, South claims Traughber was exposed to asbestos containing products made or sold by the defendant companies.

She alleges the asbestos exposure caused her father to develop lung cancer, which he was diagnosed with on Dec. 12, 2012 and ultimately led to his March 16, 2013 death.

The suit claims the defendants were aware or should have been aware of the potential risks of long-term asbestos exposure and failed to make efforts to minimize those risks.

South seeks damages in excess of the jurisdictional amount, plus court costs, and is represented by attorney Timothy G. Martin of Cooney & Conway in Chicago.

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