Illinois man sues 115 over mesothelioma

An Illinois man recently diagnosed with mesothelioma has filed an asbestos suit against 115 defendant corporations, claiming the disease was wrongfully caused.

Ray Kean claims he was diagnosed with the disease July 23, 2007, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 19 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Kean says he worked from 1956 until 1970 as a laborer and from 1970 until 1996 as a millwright/carpenter, according to the lawsuit.

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

He claims his disease was caused after he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers.

Kean alleges the asbestos-related disease has disabled and disfigured him and has and will continue to compel him 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. Kean also has and will continue to experience great physical pain and mental anguish as a result of the disease, he claims in the lawsuit.

Mesothelioma hindered and prevented Kean from pursuing his normal course of employment, according to the suit.

As a result, he lost large sums of money, he claims.

In the 11-count lawsuit, Kean seeks sums in excess of $150,000, punitive and exemplary damages in excess of $100,000 and compensatory damages in excess of $300,000.

He also seeks punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants for their misconduct and to deter similarly situated parties from committing like acts of misconduct in the future.

He is represented by Timothy F. Thompson, Jr., of SimmonsCooper in East Alton.