Colon cancer caused by asbestos, suit claims

An Illinois native suffering from colon cancer filed suit against 60 defendant corporations alleging their asbestos-containing products caused his disease.

Alan Howard claims the defendants included asbestos in their products when adequate substitutes were available.

According to the suit filed Aug. 20 in Madison County Circuit Court, Howard was diagnosed with colon cancer in July 2007 and subsequently learned it was wrongfully caused.

Howard also alleges the defendants failed to provide adequate instructions concerning the safe methods of working with and around asbestos.

He claims his cancer caused and continues to cause severe pain, mental anguish, large sums of money in medical expenses and lost wages.

His wife, Carol Howard, also is seeking damages alleging her husband's illness has deprived her of his companionship, services and society.

The Howards are seeking compensatory damages in excess of $350,000 and punitive damages in excess of $100,000.

Randy Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian & Associates represent the Howard's.

Circuit Judge Daniel Stack handles all asbestos cases in Madison County.

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