Pipefitter files asbestos complaint in St. Clair County

Another lawsuit has been added to the growing list of cases in St. Clair County's asbestos docket.

Othella Carper filed a lawsuit Nov. 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against two defendant companies.

In her suit, Carper claims her recently deceased father's, Paul Towell's, exposure to asbestos began when he worked as a pipefitter, welder and carpenter at various locations beginning in the 1940s.
Carper will be represented by Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville. The lawsuit does not specify where Carper resides.

In her complaint, Carper alleges Honeywell International and John Crane caused Towell to develop mesothelioma after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career. Towell died on June 30, 1999.

The defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for Towell's safety, the suit states.

As a result of his asbestos-related diseases, Towell 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, Carper claims.

Because of her father's death, Carper lost his companionship, society and services, the suit states.

In her six-count complaint, Carper is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, economic damages of more than $50,000 and compensatory damages of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just. She also seeks 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-603.