Former engineer sues over mesothelioma

A former engineer is suing dozens of companies over claims their asbestos-containing products caused him to develop mesothelioma.

Kenneth Koelle filed a lawsuit Jan. 27 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, Koelle was exposed to asbestos via the defendants’ products between 1961 to 2001, during which time he worked as an operating engineer. Koelle alleges the exposure led him to develop mesothelioma, which he became aware of Oct. 27, 2014.

Koelle claims the defendants knew or should have known their products contained asbestos and would result in physical harm, and failed to provide adequate warnings of the danger of asbestos exposure.

Koelle is seeking damages and is represented by attorney Charles A. Porretta of Cooney & Conway in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court case number: 2015L000806.

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.