Former laborer alleges asbestos exposure caused mesothelioma

A former laborer is suing over claims he developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos-containing products.

Ronald L. Cooley filed a lawsuit Feb. 3 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, Cooley was exposed to asbestos via the defendants’ products between 1964 through the 1970s, during which time he worked as a stocker, acid tester, steel worker, tank tester, laborer and blast furnace worker.

Cooley asserts the exposure led him to develop mesothelioma, which he became aware of Feb. 7, 2013. He alleges 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.

Cooley is represented by attorney Lawrence R. Weisler of Cooney & Conway in Chicago.

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.