Woman sues Chicago Bridge & Iron, John Crane Co. over late husband's secondhand asbestos exposure

A woman is suing her father-in-law's former employer over claims her husband died as a result of being exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on his father's clothing more than six decades ago.

Nancy Valesano, individually and as special administrator of the Estate of Dominic John Valesano, filed a complaint Nov. 25 in Cook County Circuit Court against two defendants: Chicago Bridge & Iron and John Crane.

According to the suit, Dominic's father, John, worked for Chicago Bridge & Iron in various capacities, including as a general laborer, between 1940 and 1979, during which time he was exposed to products containing asbestos, including John Crane. gaskets and packing.

Valesano says in the complaint her husband's exposure to asbestos through his father's clothing caused him to develop mesothelioma, which he was diagnosed with in January 2012 and ultimately died from.

She claims the defendants were aware or should have been aware of the potential risks of long-term asbestos exposure, but failed to minimize those risks or warn about the dangers.

The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of jurisdictional limits. plus court costs, and is represented by Nicholas Vogelzang of Connelly & Vogelzang in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014L012339.

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.