Woman files lawsuit over husband's alleged exposure to asbestos

The wife of a former laborer is suing dozens of companies with ties to asbestos-containing products she alleges led to her husband's death.

Angeline F. Phillips, as executor of the Estate of Edward A. Phillips, filed a lawsuit Dec. 29 in Cook County Circuit Court against A.W. Chesterton Co., H.B. Fuller Co., Union Carbide Corp. and more than 20 other companies.

According to the complaint, Phillips was exposed to the defendants’ asbestos-containing products between 1963 to 1999 during his employment as a laborer and maintenance mechanic.

Phillips alleges the defendants knew or should have known their products contained asbestos and would result in physical harm. The suit accuses the defendant companies of failing to provide adequate warnings of the danger of asbestos exposure.

Phillips' exposure to asbestos led him to develop mesothelioma, a lung disease that ultimately caused his death, according to the suit.

Phillips is represented by attorney Matthew J. Adair of Cooney & Conway in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2014L013326.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in 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 represents only one side of the story.