Iowa woman claims mesothelioma in suit

An Iowa woman and her husband have filed an asbestos suit against 69 defendant corporations, claiming the mesothelioma with which the woman was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

Candas K. and Greg Frost claim Candas was diagnosed with the disease Nov. 27, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 19 in Madison County Circuit Court.

They say Candas was exposed to asbestos fibers through her husband, who would carry them home from work on his clothing.

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

Greg worked as an airplane mechanic in the U.S. Navy from 1971 until 1976 and as an automobile mechanic from 1976 through 1978, according to the complaint.

He also worked at various sheet metal businesses from 1978 until 1991, the suit states.

They state Candas's exposure was foreseeable and should have been anticipated by the defendants, according to the lawsuit.

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

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

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

Because of the disease, Greg claims she has been deprived of the companionship, society and services of Candas.

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

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 Elizabeth V. Heller and Robert Rowland of Goldenberg, Heller, Antognoli, Rowland & Short in Edwardsville.