Two new lung cancer asbestos suits filed in St. Clair County

Another two asbestos lawsuits have been added to St. Clair County’s asbestos docket.

John Garrigus filed an asbestos lawsuit Nov. 13 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against 69 defendant corporations while Margie Vail filed another one Nov. 15 against 51 defendant corporations on behalf of her recently deceased husband, Bobby G. Vail. Margie Vail does not specify where she resides, but Garrigus says he lives in Collinsville.

Garrigus and Margie Vail are represented by Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville.

In their complaints, Garrigus and Margie Vail allege the defendant companies caused them or their deceased relatives to develop lung cancer after their exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout their careers.

Garrigus worked as in the U.S. Air Force from 1972 until 1974, according to the complaint. He was also secondarily exposed to asbestos fibers through his father, who worked as a laborer at Clark Oil Refinery, the suit states.

Bobby Vail worked in the U.S. Navy from 1948 until 1967 and as a maintenance worker and mechanic from 1969 until 1989.

The defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for the plaintiff’s safety, the suit states.

As a result of their asbestos-related diseases, Garrigus and Margie Vail became disabled and disfigured, incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, the complaint says. In addition, they were prevented from pursuing their normal course of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to them, the plaintiff claims. In addition, Bobby Vail died on March 31, according to the complaint.

In his 10-count complaint, Garrigus  is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, economic damages of more than $150,000, compensatory damages of more than $200,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $50,000 and other relief the court deems just.

In her complaint, Margie Vail is seeking economic damages of more than $50,000, a judgment of more than $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages, compensatory damages of more than $100,000 and other relief the court deems just.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case numbers: 13-L-579, 13-L-582.