Asbestos News Roundup: 2.24.11

February 24th, 2011. By LucyC

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of. An ongoing list of asbestos hot spots from the Asbestos News Roundup archive appears on our asbestos map.

Asbestos Lawsuits

St. Clair County, IL: Four new asbestos lawsuits have been filed in St. Clair County by Mark Nuzzo, Gloria Hale, Marilyn Grapperhaus and Joseph and Mary Bayer.

Mark Nuzzo has named 55 defendant companies in his asbestos claim, alleging they caused his recently deceased wife, Robin Nuzzo, to develop mesothelioma. Robin Nuzzo, the suit claims, was exposed to asbestos-containing products through her father, who worked as an insulator, plant worker, home renovator and shade tree mechanic at various locations from 1968 until 1992, according to the complaint. After his work, Robin Nuzzo’s father would carry asbestos particles home on his clothing, thereby exposing his daughter to the toxic substance. The suit further claims that the defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for Robin Nuzzo’s safety.

Because of Robin Nuzzo’s death on July 22, 2009, her family incurred substantial funeral and burial expenses, according to the complaint. In his 16-count complaint, Mark Nuzzo is seeking a judgment in excess of the minimum jurisdictional amount, plus costs.

Gloria Hale, who also filed an asbestos lawsuit in St. Clair County, alleges the death of her husband, Franklin Hale, from lung cancer, resulted from his exposure to asbestos containing products. Mrs. Hale has named 45 defendant companies in her suit. Because of Franklin Hale’s death on June 19, 2009, his family has been deprived of his support and services and incurred funeral and burial expenses, the complaint says.

In her 10-count complaint, Gloria Hale is seeking economic damages of more than $200,000, plus a judgment of more than $150,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $50,000, compensatory damages of more than $150,000 and punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants and to discourage them from committing similar actions in the future.

In her complaint filed January 28, Marilyn Grapperhaus alleges that her recently deceased husband, Charles Grapperhaus, developed lung cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos containing products while employed in the US Navy from 1959 to 1963, and subsequently as a truck driver, brick layer and carpenter at various locations throughout Illinois from 1963 until 2000. Mrs. Grapperhaus has named 20 defendant companies  in her suit. Because of Charles Grapperhaus’ death on September 8, his family lost his support and services and incurred funeral and burial expenses, the suit states.

In her 10-count complaint, Marilyn Grapperhaus is seeking economic damages of more than $200,000, a judgment of more than $150,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $50,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000 and punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants and to discourage them from committing similar actions in the future.

The Bayers, who are among the four new plaintiffs who filed asbestos suits in St. Clair County, have named 62 defendant companies in their asbestos claim, alleging they caused Joseph Bayer to develop esophageal cancer after his career working near asbestos-containing products. Joseph Bayer worked in various plants in Illinois and Missouri as a maintenance worker at Owens Illinois Glass from 1962 until 1963; as a sheet metal worker at McDonnell Douglas from 1963 until 1970; as a salesman at Prudential Life Insurance from 1970 until 1978; and as a salesman at Joe Bayer and Associates from 1978 until 2009, according to the complaint.

In his 10-count complaint, Joseph Bayer is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $150,000, economic damages of more than $150,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000 and punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants and to discourage them from committing similar actions in the future.

All four complaints allege that as a result of their asbestos-related disease, Robin Nuzzo, Joseph Bayer, Charles Grapperhaus and Franklin Hale incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish. Further, they became prevented from pursuing their normal courses of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to them. (St. Clair Record)

Asbestos Law

Des Moines, IA: A Des Moines developer, Bob Knapp, has agreed to plead guilty to charges over potentially illegal asbestos removal during the renovation of the Equitable Building in downtown Des Moines. Bob Knapp is charged in an 11-count federal indictment of overseeing the improper removal of asbestos from the building after he purchased it in 2005.

According to an article in the Des Moines Register, Knapp’s attorney disclosed the plea agreement in a motion filed Wednesday. In the motion, Kutmus also says Knapp was recently hospitalized with heart issues, and asked the court that Knapp be given more time before entering his plea. Knapp’s trial was set for Feb. 28. (Chicago Tribune)

Asbestos Hot Spots

North Andover, MA: Residents of Royal Crest Estates have been evacuated to nearby La Quinta Inn and Suites in Andover as workers remove asbestos from the ceilings of the apartments at Royal Crest. The asbestos removal work was prompted by leaking ceilings caused by heavy winter weather.

According to Royal Crest spokesperson, Cindy Duffy, who works for the property management company AIMCO, the heavy snowfall this winter has caused problems with some apartment ceilings. Residents of 12 units have been relocated to hotel rooms to remove the “low level” of asbestos in the ceilings. Duffy said AIMCO is paying for their hotel stays and also providing them with meal allowances while they’re away from home.

Royal Crest is reportedly paying for the cost of accommodation for the displaced residents and offering a $25-per day meal allowance per person.

North Andover Health Director Susan Sawyer said the recent asbestos removal projects at Royal Crest involve the popcorn or acoustic ceilings inside the apartments.

According to a report in the Eagle Tribune, 78 asbestos removal projects have taken place at Royal Crest Estates since January 1, 2010. The amount of material removed during those projects ranges from 2 to 840 square feet. (eagletribune.com)

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma, asbestos_mesothelioma

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