Man suffering from mesothelioma crusades against asbestos

CHARLESTON- Mayford Lee Sigman worked for the Monstanto Company for years. His job for Monsanto exposed him to asbestos and products that contained asbestos. Late last month, Sigman filed suit against Monsanto and 64 other companies that he claims are responsible for the asbestosis that has destroyed his life and his health. Sigman filed suit in Kanawha District Circuit Court against 65 companies all of which are registered in West Virginia. In addition, Sigman’s wife, Betty Sigman, has filed suit for damages and loss of consortium based on her husband’s asbestosis. The Sigmans’ suit names 13 different counts against the 65 companies alleging damages that include medical expenses, pharmaceutical expenses, travel expenses, mental and physical pain, immense suffering, inconvenience, embarrassment, loss of earning capacity and lose of quality and enjoyment of his life. In addition, Betty Sigman has sued for loss of general services, consortium, companionship and society and the financial support of her husband. The suit filed by the Sigmans alleges that the defendants should have know the dangers of asbestos, and were negligent in not providing that information to employees. In addition, the suit states that the defendants failed to provide employees, including Sigman, with safety equipment and safe, sufficient apparel. While there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure, it has been known for decades that proper handling and safety precautions can greatly reduce the concentration of asbestos fibers inhaled or swallowed during exposure. Asbestos was widely used in building, construction and various trade industries throughout the 1900s. While the dangers of asbestos, specifically the hazards of inhaling asbestos fibers, were not well-known to the general public, they were common knowledge among the executives and upper echelon staff of asbestos processors, suppliers and manufacturers. In many cases, the asbestos companies deliberately concealed those dangers from their workers, the public and the government in order to safeguard their profits. The widespread negligence and deliberate conspiracy to hide the dangers of asbestos has formed the basis of hundreds of lawsuits brought against the asbestos companies. Asbestosis, like mesothelioma, is a rare lung disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos. The effects of asbestosis vary widely, from frequent shortness of breath to devastating pain, illness and suffering. Asbestosis is a progressive debilitating lung disease resulting from scarring to the lungs after exposure to asbestos. There is also evidence that asbestosis increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. At least one court has agreed with the contention that a diagnosis of asbestosis also creates a reduction in quality of life and pain and suffering due to increased fear of developing mesothelioma. That was not alleged in this case. The Sigmans, through their attorney, are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for an unnamed amount. The case will be assigned to a visiting judge. (Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News)