Pending asbestos case seeks removal from deferred docket

A Madison County plaintiff with a pending asbestos case has asked to be removed from the court's Asbestos Deferred Registry and moved into the active asbestos docket.

Ronald Akridge, an Illinois resident, claims he has developed pleural thickening, an asbestos induced disease. He is seeking at least $200,000 in actual damages plus punitive damages in his suit against 54 defendants, including AW Chesterton, General Electric, and Glidden Paints.

Michael Bilbrey of Edwardsville represents Akridge.

In the suit, Akridge claims that from 1966 through 1986 he worked for several employers and was exposed to and inhaled large amounts of asbestos fibers emanating from products he worked with.

He was diagnosed with pleural thickening on May 7, 2004.

Akridge claims that the defendants failed to exercise ordinary care and caution for his safety.

He alleges the defendants are guilty of willful and wanton misconduct as they intentionally and with a reckless disregard for his safety included asbestos in their products, even though it was forseeable and anticipated that people working around asbestos products would be exposed to fibers from asbestos.

As a result of one or more of the omissions on part of the defendants, Akridge claims he has had to undergo costly medical treatment and that he suffers great physical pain and mental anguish as a result of his asbestos exposure.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Daniel Stack, who is the asbestos judge.