EDWARDSVILLE — A man suffering from what he claims is asbestos-induced lung cancer is seeking damages in excess of $500,000 from more than 60 defendants who allegedly contributed to his illness.
The plaintiff in the case, John Mifflin, is seeking judgment of more than $50,000 for each of the 10 counts against the defendants, according to his lawsuit filed Feb. 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. Those counts against the many defendants include accusations of negligence, reckless disregard for his safety, conspiracy, fraudulent misrepresentation and emotional distress.
Defendants include CBS Corporation, Dow Chemical Company, Ford Motor Company, General Electric Company, Honeywell International, Union Carbide Corporation and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
In his complaint, Mifflin listed his work history with various employers, including as a lead mechanic in the U.S. Army reserve from 1955-62, a parts and mechanic trainee at Collins Machinery from 1959-61 and as a field service laborer with Kenworth Manufacturing in 1963-64. The most recent employment Mifflin's complaint lists is vice president of operation at Transport Equipment Company from 1980-85.
Mifflin claims that at various time over his work history, he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested and otherwise absorbed large amounts of asbestos fibers.
Not every employer in Mifflin's work history, as detailed in the complaint, is included as a named defendant in the case.
"Plaintiff's exposure to the materials, products, equipment, activates and conditions attributable to the various Defendants occurred at different times as to each and not necessarily throughout Plaintiff's entire career or life as to any particular Defendant," the lawsuit said.
In October 2015, Mifflin was diagnosed with asbestos-induced lung cancer, according to the lawsuit. "The Defendants knew or should have known that the asbestos fibers contained in their products had a toxic, poisonous, and highly deleterious effect on the health of persons inhaling, ingesting or otherwise absorbing them," the lawsuit said.
Mifflin is being represented in his case by the Edwardsville law firm Gori, Julian & Associates.