Missouri woman claims asbestos exposure caused mesothelioma

A Missouri woman and her husband have filed an asbestos suit against 92 defendant corporations, claiming the mesothelioma with which the woman was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

Kristy M. and Robert Ritz claim Kristy was diagnosed with the disease Nov. 7, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 17 in Madison County Circuit Court.

They say Kristy was exposed to asbestos fibers through clothing her father and grandfather wore home from work.

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

Her father worked in various home construction projects beginning in 1968 and her grandfather worked on a farm and did engine work on various farm machinery, the suit states.

The Ritzes state Kristy's exposure was foreseeable and should have been anticipated by the defendants, according to the lawsuit.

The Ritzes allege the asbestos-related disease disabled and disfigured Kristy and has caused substantial medical costs. Kristy also has and will continue to experience physical pain and mental anguish, they claim in the lawsuit.

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

As a result, she lost large sums of money, the Ritzs' claim.

Because of the disease, Robert claims he and other family members have been deprived of the companionship, society and services of Kristy.

In the seven-count lawsuit, the couple is seeking sums in excess of $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages in excess of $100,000 and compensatory damages in excess of $150,000.

They also seek punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish Ferris Kimball Company, LLC, Sprinkmann Sons Corporation, Sprinkmann Insulation, Inc., and Young Insulation Group of St. Louis for their misconduct and to deter similarly situated parties from committing like acts in the future.

They are represented by Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian & Associates in Alton.