Illinois man sues 92 companies for father's lung cancer death

An Illinois man whose father recently died from lung cancer has filed an asbestos suit against 92 defendant corporations claiming his father's death was wrongfully caused.

Mark McDonald claims his father, Robert McDonald, was diagnosed with the disease Sept. 7 and passed away March 5 according to a lawsuit filed Aug. 20 in Madison County Circuit Court.

He says his father worked from 1938 until 1980 as a mechanic, auto body repairman, and boiler maker at various locations throughout Illinois, according to the lawsuit. The suit also claims Robert McDonald worked at Shell Oil Company from 1955 until 1980.

Mark McDonald states his father's exposure was foreseeable and should have been anticipated by the defendants, according to the lawsuit.

He claims his father's disease was caused after he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers. Prior to Robert McDonald's death, Mark McDonald claims his father was compelled to expend and become liable for large sums of money for hospital, medical, and other health and services necessary for the treatment of the disease. Robert also experienced great physical pain and mental anguish as a result of the disease, Mark claims in the lawsuit.

Lung cancer allegedly hindered and prevented Robert from pursuing his normal course of employment, according to the suit.

As a result, Robert lost large sums of money, Mark claims.
Robert's family has been deprived of his means of support and has lost the society of Robert and in addition spent large sums of money for funeral and burial costs, the complaint states.

Mark McDonald also claims Metropolitan Life Insurance Company conspired with the defendants to misrepresent the hazards of exposure to asbestos, which led Robert McDonald to remain ignorant of the hazards of asbestos.

Mark McDonald is seeking sums in excess of $350,000 from the defendants, compensatory damages to exceed $200,000, and punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish defendants their misconduct and to deter similarly situated parties from committing like acts of misconduct in the future.

He is represented by John Barnerd of East Alton.