03/11/2008 - National Legal News

A Texas man who suffers from an asbestos-related illness has filed a lawsuit blaming his condition on more than two dozen companies that made products containing asbestos.

Paul A. Wilhelm and his wife have filed a lawsuit seeking compensation from General Electric, American Standard, and 28 other companies. The couple’s lawsuit says that Wilhelm worked in a variety of occupational settings – including steel mills, refineries, and chemical plants – where he used products manufactured by the defendants. The lawsuit claims that the products contained asbestos and that, over time, Wilhelm’s exposure to the dangerous material led to his condition.

Wilhelm is suing the product manufacturers for intentionally withholding information about the risks of asbestos from those who worked with the products. He claims that the companies were in possession of scientific data showing the dangers of asbestos exposure, but conspired among themselves to keep the information private.

In his lawsuit, Wilhelm is seeking compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, lost income, medical costs, and other damages.

The case will be tried in Jefferson County District Court.