Tennessee man claims mesothelioma in suit

A Tennessee man and his wife have filed an asbestos suit against 111 defendant corporations, claiming the mesothelioma with which the man was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

Charles and Elizabeth Summey claim Charles was diagnosed with the disease July 23, according to a lawsuit filed Oct. 29 in Madison County Circuit Court.

They say Charles worked from from 1950 until 1954 in the U.S. Navy, from 1955 until 1957 as a stockman at Magnavox and from 1957 until 1992 as a machine attendant/production worker at RCA.

They state Charles'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 Summeys allege the asbestos-related disease disabled and disfigured Charles and has caused substantial medical costs. Charles also has and will continue to experience physical pain and mental anguish, they claim in the lawsuit.

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

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

Because of the disease, Elizabeth claims she has been deprived of the companionship, society and services of Charles.

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-1016.