Gori
Another lawsuit has been added to the growing list of cases in St. Clair County's asbestos docket.
Perry and Dora Shockley filed a lawsuit Oct. 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against 57 defendant companies.
The suit claims that Perry Shockley's exposure to asbestos began at age 11 when he worked as a milk truck driver.
The Shockleys are represented by Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville. The suit does not identify where the plaintiffs reside.
In their complaint, the Shockleys alleges the defendant companies caused Perry Shockley to develop lung cancer after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career.
Perry Shockley worked as a milk truck driver, a press operator, at Daniels Construction, at a tobacco plant, at American Enka, at Oakridge National Lab, at Kingston Power Plant, at Tennessee Eastman Corp., at Holston Defense Corp., at Atomin Bomb Plant, at E.I. DuPont, at Bull Run Steam Plant and at his own fabricating shop, according to the complaint.
The defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for Perry Shockley's safety, the suit states.
As a result of his asbestos-related diseases, Perry Shockley became disabled and disfigured, incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, the complaint says. In addition, he became prevented from pursuing his normal course of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to him, the Shockleys claim.
In their 10-count complaint, the Shockleys are seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $100,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000 and economic damages of more than $200,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just. They also seek punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants and to deter similar conduct in the future.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-560.