John Crane named as single defendant in asbestos case by Californian

A California woman has filed an asbestos suit on behalf of her recently deceased husband against John Crane, claiming the mesothelioma with which he was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

Regina Rohrer claims James B. Rohrer was diagnosed with the disease Sept. 2, 2007, and died Nov. 12, 1997, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 22 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Regina says her husband worked in a naval shipyard for 30 years, according to the lawsuit.

Regina states James'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.

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

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

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

Because of James'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.

Regina and other family members have been deprived of James's companionship, society and services, she claims.

In the seven-count lawsuit, Regina seeks sums in excess of $200,000, unspecified economic damages and compensatory damages in excess of $150,000.

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 Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian & Associates in Alton.