California Man Diagnosed With Mesothelioma Files Asbestos Suit

By Brian Cole

Published on February 05, 2007

Bowen claims that during the course of his employment — and during automotive repairs at home — he was exposed to asbestos, which he inhaled, ingested, or otherwise absorbed from the products he was using.

Included in the list of 91 defendant corporations are Discount Auto Parts, Ford Motor Company, Dow Chemical, General Motors, Goodyear, Sears, and U.S. Steel. The complaint states that the companies knew or should have known that the asbestos fibers in their products posed serious health dangers. Bowen further alleges that the companies used asbestos in their products when adequate substitutes were available. According to Bowen, the companies he was employed by also failed to provide training in ways to safely work with asbestos.

Bowen says he first became aware that he had developed mesothelioma in 2005. The disease is known to be caused only by asbestos exposure. Bowen claims the condition has disabled and disfigured him and caused him to be unable to continue his normal course of employment.

Bowen is seeking $250,000 in compensatory damages. The claim states that punitive damages are also necessary to prevent the companies from acting in similar ways in the future.

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