Asbestos News Roundup: 11.12.10

November 12th, 2010. By LucyC

A roundup of recent asbestos-related news and information that you should be aware of. 

Asbestos Lawsuits

St. Clair, IL: Three asbestos lawsuits were recently filed in St. Clair, IL. The first involves Perry and Dora Shockley, who filed an asbestos lawsuit naming 57 defendant companies. The suit alleges that the defendants caused Perry Shockley to develop lung cancer after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career. The suit states that the defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for Perry Shockley’s safety.

In their suit, the Shockley’s allege that Perry’s exposure began when he was just 11 years old, when he worked as a milk truck driver. During his working life, Mr. Shockley also worked as a a press operator, at Daniels Construction, at a tobacco plant, at American Enka, at Oakridge National Lab, at Kingston Power Plant, at Tennessee Eastman Corp., at Holston Defense Corp., at Atomin Bomb Plant, at E.I. DuPont, at Bull Run Steam Plant and at his own fabricating shop, according to the complaint.

As a result of his asbestos-related diseases, Mr. Shockley alleges that he became disabled and disfigured, incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish. Additionally, he eventually was unable to pursue his normal course of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to him, the suit alleges.

The Shockleys are seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $100,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000 and economic damages of more than $200,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just. They also seek punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants and to deter similar conduct in the future. (stclairrrecord.com)

A second suit, filed by Jeraldeen Brumbaugh, names 40 defendant companies on behalf of her recently deceased husband, Eddy Brumbaugh. The third suit was filed by Helen Knapp of Washington against defendant companies on behalf of her recently deceased husband, Carl Knapp.

In the Brumbaugh suit, Jeraldeen alleges that her husband’s exposure to asbestos began when he was a member of US Navy from 1952 until 1955. He continued to be exposed to asbestos throughout his subsequent careers as a laborer at Premier Refinery from 1959 until 1960 and as a mudder and taper at various construction sites.

In Helen Knapp’s complaint, she alleges that her husband’s exposure to asbestos began when he was a laborer for Western Pine Saw Mill from 1955 until 1959 and from 1961 until 1967. He continued to be exposed to asbestos fibers when he joined the U.S. Army from 1959 until 1961 and from 1962 until 1964 and when he worked as a cook, drywaller and laborer for Highland House Restaurant from 1968 until 1979 and as a residential construction worker from 1963 until 1978.

Both lawsuits allege that the defendant companies caused their husbands to develop lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma respectively after their exposures to asbestos-containing products throughout their careers, and that the defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for either man’s safety.

As a result of his asbestos-related diseases, Eddy Brumbaugh passed away on May 29.

Carl Knapp died on July 1 because of his condition, his wife claims.

Before their deaths, Eddy Brumbaugh and Carl Knapp incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, the complaints say. Further, they eventually were unable to pursue  their normal courses of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to them, their wives claim. (stclairrecord.com)

Asbestos Settlements

Red Bank, NJ: Seventy-five year old New Jersey resident James Johnson was awarded a $3,333,500 settlement in September of this year resulting from his asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit. He was exposed to an asbestos-containing product at his work site.

Mr. Johnson worked as a carpenter, specializing in the installation of ceilings in commercial applications. He had reportedly been in perfect health prior to his diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma. He sued the manufacturers of asbestos-containing products which he used or were used by other tradesmen in his immediate vicinity during his work. (nj.com)

Asbestos Hot Spots

Dallas, TX: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded $150,000 to Louisiana to help reduce asbestos exposure in schools and state buildings. The project will encompass compliance monitoring, compliance assistance and public outreach.

The project is covered under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA). The program provides protection through on-site surveillance where asbestos is found. AHERA requires local education agencies to inspect schools for asbestos-containing building material and prepare management plans to reduce the hazard. The Act establishes a program for the training and accreditation of individuals performing certain types of asbestos work. (thecypresstimes.com)

Tags: Asbestos, Asbestos Mesothelioma

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