Lung cancer asbestos suit filed in St. Clair County

A man is suing over claims his lung cancer was caused by asbestos exposure.

Billy and Patricia Way filed a lawsuit Aug. 6 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Tillamook County Creamery, Louisiana-Pacific Corp., Buffalo Pumps Inc., Crosby Valve Inc. and dozens of other companies, citing negligence.

According to the complaint, Billy Way was exposed to asbestos in products manufactured, distributed and sold by the defendant companies through his employment as a ship fitter in the U.S. Navy, a laborer at Tillamook County Creamery, a millwright at Louisiana-Pacific Corp. and a plumber and pipefitter at Lockheed Martin. The complaint states Billy was also secondarily exposed through his stepfather who was employed as a laborer at GM - Fisher Body. Billy was diagnosed with lung cancer Aug. 14, 2012.

The manufacturing defendants are accused of negligence and wilful and wanton conduct. Metropolitan Life Insurance is accused of conspiracy, and several other companies of spoliation of evidence for attempts to hide the knowledge of effects of asbestos exposure from the public. Tillamook County Creamery and Louisiana-Pacific are accused of fraudulent misrepresentation, battery, negligence and wilful and wanton conduct. Patricia Way is suing for loss of consortium.

The Ways are seeking more than $50,000 in damages. They are being represented in the case by attorneys Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian & Associates P.C. in Edwardsville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 14L579.