Son files asbestos complaint on behalf of deceased father

A man has filed an asbestos suit on behalf of his recently deceased father against 63 defendant corporations, claiming the mesothelioma with which his father was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

Wayne E. Fields claims Lawson H. Fields was diagnosed with the disease Jan. 18, 2007, and died from it July 29, 2007, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 8 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Wayne says his father worked from 1944 until 1997 as an auto and aircraft mechanic at various locations throughout Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma, according to the lawsuit.

Wayne states Lawson's exposure was foreseeable and should have been anticipated by the defendants, according to the lawsuit.

He claims his father's disease was caused after he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers.

Wayne alleges the asbestos-related disease caused great medical costs. Lawson experienced great physical pain and suffering and emotional distress before his death, Wayne claims in the lawsuit.

The disease caused Lawson a shorter and less enjoyable life, Wayne claims.

Mesothelioma hindered and prevented Lawson from pursuing his normal course of employment, according to the suit.

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

Wayne's family has been deprived of his support and his society and incurred funeral and burial costs, according to the complaint.

In the seven-count lawsuit, Wayne seeks sums in excess of $525,000 and unspecified economic damages.

He has demanded a jury trial.

Wayne is represented by Andrew O'Brien, Christopher Thoron, Christina J. Nielson, Bartholomew J. Baumstark and Gerald J. Fitzgerald of O'Brien Law Firm in St. Louis.