Ohio nurse contracts mesothelioma through second-hand exposure, suit claims

An Ohio woman recently diagnosed with mesothelioma filed an asbestos suit against 13 defendant corporations claiming the disease was wrongfully caused.

Kathy Castle claims she was diagnosed with the disease May 19, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 15 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Castle says she worked from 1970 until 2008 as a nurse's aide, home nurse, secretary, clerical worker and clerk at various locations, according to the lawsuit.

She claims she contracted mesothelioma through second-hand exposure to asbestos fibers her family members would carry home on their clothes.

Kim Fleming, one family member, worked from 1977 until 1981 as a construction worker and mason assistant at various locations, according to the complaint.

Another family member, Donald Young, worked from 1972 until 1977 as plastic manufacturing plant worker at various locations, the suit states.

Castle states her exposure was foreseeable and should have been anticipated by the defendants, according to the lawsuit.

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

Castle alleges the asbestos-related disease has disabled and disfigured her and has and will continue to compel her 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. Castle also has and will continue to experience great physical pain and mental anguish as a result of the disease, he claims in the lawsuit.

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

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

In the two-count lawsuit, Castle seeks sums in excess of $50,000 and compensatory damages in excess of $50,000.

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.

She is represented by Robert Phillips and Perry J. Browder of Simmonscooper LLC in East Alton.