Massachusetts widow seeks relief in Madison County asbestos case

A Massachusetts woman has filed an asbestos suit on behalf of her deceased husband against 56 defendant corporations, claiming his pleural mesothelioma was wrongfully caused.

Helen Troy claims her husband -- Robert Troy, Sr. -- was diagnosed with the disease May 7, according to a lawsuit filed Aug. 26 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Helen Troy says her husband served from 1942 until 1945 as a chief electrician's mate in the U.S. Navy in Illinois and Florida, according to the lawsuit.

Robert Troy, Sr. also worked as a lineman and supervisor from 1946 until 1990 as a lineman and supervisor, general manager and owner/operator of hotels at various locations throughout Massachusetts, the complaint states.

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

She claims his disease was caused after he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers.

Helen Troy alleges the asbestos-related disease disabled and disfigured her husband before his death and compelled him 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.

She said he also continued to experience great physical pain and mental anguish as a result of the disease, she claims in the lawsuit.

Pleural mesothelioma hindered and prevented Robert Troy, Sr. from pursuing his normal course of employment, according to the suit.

As a result, he lost large sums of money, he claims.

Because of Robert Troy, Sr.'s death, his family has been deprived of his means of support and has lost the society of him, according to the complaint.

They also had to pay substantial sums of money for his funeral and burial, Helen Troy claims in the suit.

In the five-count lawsuit, Helen Troy seeks sums in excess of $150,000, compensatory damages in excess of $100,000 and for damages which will fairly and reasonably compensate for her husband's injuries.

She also seeks punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants for their misconduct and to deter similarly situated parties from committing like acts of misconduct in the future.

Helen Troy is represented by G. Michael Stewart of Simmonscooper LLC in East Alton.