Kraft Foods, dozens of others face suit over woman's mesothelioma

The daughter of a former employee of Chicago's old Oscar Mayer plant is suing over claims primary and secondary asbestos exposure caused her to develop mesothelioma.

Susan Markuson filed suit Dec. 3 in Cook County Circuit Court against more than a dozen companies, including A.W. Chesterton Co., Crane Co. and Kraft Food Groups Inc.

According to the claim, Markuson, formerly of Elmhurst, was exposed to asbestos through the use of products during various home improvement projects over the course of 20 years.

It further contends she was also exposed to asbestos from the fibers on the clothing and hair of her father, who worked as a meat packer at the former Oscar Mayer plant on North Sedgwick Street.

Markuson claims she learned she had mesothelioma in September and alleges the defendants knew or should have known that exposure to their asbestos-containing products was dangerous.

Her husband, Peter, is also a plaintiff in the suit, which includes loss of consortium-related counts on his behalf.

The couple is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court fees, and is represented by attorney Charles A. Porretta of Cooney & Conway in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014L012542.

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 represents only one side of the story.