New Hampshire woman sues 72 corporations in Madison County

A New Hampshire woman has filed an asbestos suit on behalf of her recently deceased husband against 72 defendant corporations, claiming the mesothelioma with which he was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

Theresa Latsha claims Vernon Latsha was diagnosed with the disease May 22, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 16 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Theresa says her husband worked from 1950 until 1997 as a truck driver at various locations throughout Illinois, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, according to the lawsuit.

Theresa states Vernon'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.

Theresa alleges the asbestos-related disease caused the couple to incur substantial medical costs. Vernon also experienced great physical pain and mental anguish as a result of the disease, Theresa claims in the lawsuit.

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

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

Because of Vernon's death, his family has been deprived of his support and has lost his society, the suit states.

His family spent substantial amounts on funeral and burial costs, according to the complaint.

In the five-count lawsuit, Theresa seeks sums in excess of $150,000 and compensatory damages in excess of $100,000.

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 Christopher R. Guinn, Christopher J. Levy, John A. Barnerd and Perry J. Browder of Simmonscooper LLC in East Alton.