Gori
Julian
A man and his wife have filed an asbestos suit against 14 defendant corporations, claiming the lung cancer with which the man was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.
Aubrey and Olive Roach claim Aubrey Roach was diagnosed with the disease in December 2008, according to a lawsuit filed Feb. 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
They say Aubrey Roach worked from 1946 until 1949 for the U.S. Army and from 1949 until 1977 as a combat vehicle mechanic for Red River Army Depot. While working, Aubrey Roach was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers, the suit states.
They state Aubrey Roach's exposure was foreseeable and should have been anticipated by the defendants, according to the lawsuit.
The Roaches allege the asbestos-related disease disabled and disfigured Aubrey Roach and has caused substantial medical costs. Aubrey Roach also has and will continue to experience physical pain and mental anguish, they claim in the lawsuit.
Lung cancer hindered and prevented Aubrey Roach from pursuing his normal course of employment, according to the suit. As a result, he lost large sums of money, the Roaches claim.
Because of the disease, Olive Roach claims she has been deprived of Aubrey Roach's companionship and society.
In the six-count lawsuit, the couple is seeking sums in excess of $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $100,000 and compensatory damages in excess of $100,000. They are also seeking punitive damages in an amount sufficient to deter the defendants from their misconduct.
They are represented by Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-76.