Illinois man sues 111 over asbestos exposure

An Illinois man and his wife have filed an asbestos suit against 111 defendant corporations, claiming the lung cancer with which the man was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

Jerry J. and Rosemary Kostal claim Jerry was diagnosed with the disease March 20, according to a lawsuit filed Oct. 29 in Madison County Circuit Court.

They say Jerry worked from 1943 until 1946 as a laborer in the U.S. Army and from 1946 until 1987 as a member of the Local 597 Chicago Steam Fitter Union.

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

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

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

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

As a result, he lost large sums of money, the Kostals claim.

Because of the disease, Rosemary claims she has been deprived of the companionship, society and services of Jerry.

In the 11-count lawsuit, the couple is seeking sums in excess of $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages in excess of $100,000, economic damages in excess of $150,000, 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 Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian & Associates in Alton.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-1017.