Bunker Hill woman files asbestos complaint in husband's death

A Bunker Hill woman whose husband recently died from lung cancer has filed an asbestos suit against 74 defendant corporations, claiming her husband's death was wrongfully caused.

Geraldine Kruemmelbein claims her husband, Robert Kruemmelbein, Sr., was diagnosed with the disease Sept. 2, 2005, and passed away Dec. 22, 2006, according to a lawsuit filed Aug. 20 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Geraldine Kruemmelbein says her husband worked from 1950 until 1960 as a laborer at Duncan Foundry, according to the lawsuit.

Geraldine Kruemmelbein also claims her husband worked as a maintenance worker at Dow Chemical in 1960 and as a machine operator at Owens-Illinois Glass from 1960 until 1993.

Geraldine Kruemmelbein states her husband's exposure was foreseeable and should have been anticipated by the defendants, according to the lawsuit.

She claims her husband's disease was caused after he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers. Prior to Robert's death, Geraldine Kruemmelbein claims her husband was compelled to expend and become liable for large sums of money for hospital, medical, and other health and services necessary for the treatment of the disease. Robert also experienced great physical pain and mental anguish as a result of the disease, Geraldine claims in the lawsuit.

Lung cancer allegedly hindered and prevented Robert from pursuing his normal course of employment, according to the suit.

As a result, Robert lost large sums of money, Geraldine claims.

Robert's family has been deprived of his means of support and has lost the society of Robert and in addition spent large sums of money for funeral and burial costs, the complaint states.

Geraldine Kruemmelbein is seeking sums in excess of $350,000 from the defendants, economic damages in excess of $50,000, compensatory damages in excess of $150,000, punitive and exemplary damages and for economic damages which will fairly and reasonably compensate for Robert's injuries.

She is represented by Randy Gori of Alton.