The estate of Robert Peckham filed suit against 27 defendant corporations in Madison County Circuit Court claiming benzene exposure.
According to the complaint, Peckham worked for various employers including Triad Industrial Cleaning in South Roxana cleaning benzene and benzene-containing petroleum at various locations in Wood River, East Alton, Kansas City and Henderson, Ky.
The suit claims Peckham's exposure to benzene was completely foreseeable and could or should have been anticipated by the defendants. It also claims the defendants knew or should have known that benzene had a toxic, poisonous and highly deleterious effect upon the health of the persons inhaling, ingesting or otherwise absorbing it.
The 10-count suit seeks in excess of $500,000 in compensatory damages and attorney fees
Shirley Peckham claims she has been deprived of the services, society, companionship, love and affection of her husband.
Benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon that is produced by the burning of natural products. It is a component of products derived from coal and petroleum and is found in gasoline and other fuels and is used to make some types of rubbers, lubricants, dyes, detergents, drugs and pesticides.
Natural sources of benzene include volcanoes and forest fires. Benzene also is a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke.
Benzene, which is known to be a carcinogen, is used in the manufacture of plastics, detergents, pesticides and other chemicals.
The estate claims the defendants failed to exercise ordinary care and caution for his safety, health and welfare by, among other things:
The estate is represented by Richard Saville, Jr., Robert Evola and Ethan Flint of Alton.