Widow sues dozens of asbestos companies over husband's death

The wife of a former construction laborer is suing over claims her husband died as a result of being exposed to asbestos more than four decades ago.

Ida H. Polcyn, as independent administrator of the Estate of Michael Polcyn, filed a complaint Nov. 25 in Cook County Circuit Court against A.W. Chesterton Co., H.B. Fuller Co. and several other companies.

According to the complaint, Michael was employed in various capacities, including as a construction laborer, from 1948 to 1979, during which time he was exposed to the defendants' asbestos containing products .

Polcyn says Michael was diagnosed with mesothelioma on Aug. 1 as a result of the long-term asbestos exposure, and died on Sept. 15. She claims the defendants were aware or should have been aware of the potential risks of asbestos exposure, but failed to minimize those risks.

She seeks damages in excess of jurisdictional limits, plus court costs, and is represented by attorney David O. Barrett of Cooney & Conway in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014L012293.

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.