Leukemia patient sues 18 corporations

An Illinois man recently diagnosed with leukemia has filed a suit against 18 defendant corporations, claiming the disease was wrongfully caused.

Dennis Street claims he was diagnosed with the disease July 19, according to a lawsuit filed Nov. 18 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Street says he worked for various employees at various locations throughout Illinois, including his work as a blanker operator at Continental Can Company and as a forklift operator at Sanford Corporation, according to the lawsuit.

He claims his disease was caused after he was exposed to benzene and benzene-containing products.

Street alleges the benzene-related disease caused him to incur medical costs and to experience pain, suffering, mental anguish and physical disability.

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

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

In the six-count lawsuit, Street is seeking compensatory damages in excess of $300,000.

He is represented by Richard L. Saville, Jr., Robert J. Evola, Ethan A. Flint and David J. Page of Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-1092.