Michigan woman files asbestos suit in Madison County

A Michigan woman recently diagnosed with mesothelioma has filed an asbestos suit against 144 defendant corporations claiming the disease was wrongfully caused.

Dixie Lee Kimble claims she was diagnosed with the disease March 21, according to a lawsuit filed Sept. 23 in Madison Circuit Court.

Kimble says she worked as a laborer at Seward Luggage in 1973, as a laborer at Hush Puppies Shoe Factory in 1976, as a laborer at various location in 1978 and worked from 1978 until 2006 as an assembler at Electrolux, according to the lawsuit.

She says she was also exposed to asbestos fibers from 1966 until 1971 at her mother's house while various remodeling work was done.

In addition, her father worked on tractor clutches and installed a roof while Kimble was living at home, the suit states.

Kimble 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.

Kimble 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. Kimble also has and will continue to experience great physical pain and mental anguish as a result of the disease, she claims in the lawsuit.

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

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

In the 10-count lawsuit, Kimble seeks sums in excess of $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages in excess of $100,000, economic damages in excess of $150,000 and compensatory damages in excess of $150,000, plus costs of the suit.

She also seeks punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish Ferris Kimball Company, Sprinkmann Sons Corporation, Sprinkmann Sons Insulation and Young Insulation Group of St. Louis 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 and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian & Associates in Alton.