BELLEVILLE – A laborer is suing over alleged exposure to asbestos during his work life, claiming such exposure led to a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Negligence, conspiracy and spoilation of evidence are among the counts.
David Lineberry filed the suit March 4 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Aurora Pump Company, General Electric Company, Honeywell International Inc., Owens-Illinois Inc., and many other listed defendants.
The plaintiff worked from 1962 to the 1980s as a pipe insulator and a plumber, the suit states. During the course of his employment, the suit alleges, he was exposed to and inhaled asbestos fibers emanating from products he worked with that were manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants.
On Oct. 15, 2015, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos fibers, he alleges.
Despite the defendants' duty to exercise reasonable care and caution for the plaintiff and others working around asbestos containing products, they did not, according to the complaint.
As a result of the alleged negligence, the plaintiff was exposed to asbestos, which caused him to develop a disease, the suit claims. He has spent large sums of money on medical bills, he continues to experience pain and mental anguish, he will be hindered from working so he is losing wages, and his family has been deprived of his means of support and society, the suit alleges.
His wife, Peggy Lineberry, further seeks $50,000, alleging loss of consortium her husband's illness has caused her.
The plaintiff seeks an excess of $50,000 for each of seven counts against all of the defendants. The plaintiff and his wife both seek court costs and other relief the court deems appropriate. They are represented by Ethan A. Flint, Carson C. Menges and Lack M. Whitley of the Flint Law Firm in Glen Carbon.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L-134