Ohio man claims asbestos exposure from working conditions and father's clothing

An Ohio man recently diagnosed with mesothelioma has filed an asbestos suit against 60 defendant corporations claiming his disease was wrongfully caused.

Donald Reed claims he was diagnosed with the disease July 10, according to a lawsuit filed Aug. 21 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Reed says he worked from 1947 until 1992 as an engineer, maintenance worker and laborer at various locations in Illinois.

He alleges his father, Herman Reed, worked from 1941 until 1945 at The Boeing Company and from 1945 until 1973 as an electrician at North American/Boeing.

Donald Reed claims asbestos-containing dust he worked around and his father brought home from work in his clothing contained toxins, poisons, and had a highly deleterious effect upon the health of the person inhaling, ingesting or otherwise absorbing the fibers.

He states his exposure was foreseeable and should have been anticipated by the defendants, according to the lawsuit.

He claims the disease has disabled and disfigured him and he has had to spend large sums of money for hospital, medical and other health care services for treatment of the disease. He says he has experienced great physical pain and mental anguish and will be hindered and prevented from pursuing his normal course of employment.

He also claims Metropolitan Life Insurance Company conspired with the defendants to misrepresent the hazards of exposure to asbestos, which led Donald Reed to remain ignorant of the hazards of asbestos.
Donald Reed alleges defendants had access to documents warning of asbestos hazards, the lawsuit states.

But when Donald Reed tried to obtain the documents, he could not and claims the defendants destroyed or disposed of them, the lawsuit claims.

As a result, he alleges he has been forced to dismiss or unfavorably compromise with some defendants and has suffered the impaired ability to recover lost or reduced compensation from the defendants.
Donald Reed is seeking sums in excess of $200,000 from the defendants, compensatory damages to exceed $350,000, and punitive damages.

He is represented by Shane Hampton of East Alton.