Gori
Another lawsuit has been added to the growing list of cases in St. Clair County's asbestos docket.
Arthur and Joan Tucker of Massachusetts filed a lawsuit Nov. 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against 32 defendant companies.
The suit claims that Arthur Tucker's exposure to asbestos began when he worked as a machinist mate for the U.S. Navy from 1962 until 1965. It continued during his career as a mechanic at Thurston's Garage from 1965 until 1968, as a mechanic at Esso Station from 1968 until 1972, as a machinist from 1967 until 1968 and as a shadetree mechanic from the 1950s through the 1970s.
The Tuckers are represented by Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville. Erik Karst and Matthew T. Wright of Karst and von Oiste in Houston will serve of counsel.
In their complaint, the Tuckers allege the defendant companies caused Arthur Tucker to develop lung cancer after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career.
The defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for Arthur Tucker's safety, the suit states.
As a result of his asbestos-related diseases, Arthur Tucker 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 Tuckers claim.
In their six-count complaint, the Tuckers are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $100,000 and compensatory damages of more than $100,000, 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-582.