Cates
Another asbestos lawsuit has been added to the growing list of cases in St. Clair County's asbestos docket.
Ronald A. and Linda Nichols of Massachusetts filed the 14th asbestos lawsuit of the year in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
They are represented by David I. Cates and Judy L. Cates of the Cates Law Firm in Swansea.
In their complaint filed April 9, the Nichols allege 45 defendant companies caused Ronald A. Nichols to develop mesothelioma after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career.
Ronald A. Nichols worked at the basic training electrician's mate school for the U.S. Navy in 1957; worked as a machinist mate on the USS Hailey from 1957 until 1959; worked as an assistant parts manager at McKulkin Chevrolet from 1959 until 1960; worked as an operator, laborer, boiler and furnace worker at Gas Service Inc. from 1960 until 1987; performed home remodeling from 1965 until 1967; and worked as a shadetree mechanic from the 1950s until the 1960s, according to the complaint.
The defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for the plaintiffs' or their deceased relative's safety, the suit states.
As a result of his asbestos-related diseases, Ronald A. Nichols says he became disabled and disfigured, incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish. In addition, he claims he became prevented from pursuing his normal course of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to them.
Linda Nichols claims she has been deprived of her husband's companionship, society and services because of his disease.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-165.