Gori
Julian
More asbestos lawsuits have been added to the growing list of cases in St. Clair County's asbestos docket.
Claudia Gail Shreve filed a complaint Nov. 22 against 68 defendant companies in St. Clair County Circuit Court on behalf of her recently deceased husband, Kenneth L. Shreve, while Harold Webster filed a complaint against 65 defendant companies in St. Clair County Circuit Court on behalf of his recently deceased brother, Gerald Webster. Neither Claudia Shreve nor Harold Webster specify where they currently live.
Both will be represented by Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville.
In her complaint, Claudia Shreve alleges the defendant companies caused her recently deceased husband, Kenneth L. Shreve, to develop lung cancer after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career.
Kenneth L. Shreve worked as a member of the Plumbers Local 653 and worked as a pipefitter at Shell Oil, as a pipefitter at Hartford Refinery from 1988 until 1994 and as a pipefitter at Exxon-Shell from 2000 until 2002, according to the complaint.
In his complaint, Harold Webster alleges the defendant companies caused his brother to develop lung cancer after his work through the Ironworkers Local 167 from 1969 until 2002.
The defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for the plaintiffs' relatives' safety, the suits state.
As a result of their asbestos-related disease, Kenneth L. Shreve and Gerald Webster incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, the complaints say. In addition, they became prevented from pursuing their normal course of employment and, as a result, lost large sums of money that would have accrued to them, the plaintiffs claim.
Because of Kenneth L. Shreve's and Gerald Webster's deaths, their family members have been deprived of their companionship, society and services, according to the complaints.
In her 10-count complaint, Claudia Shreve is seeking economic damages of more than $200,000, a judgment of more than $150,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000 and unspecified punitive and exemplary damages. She also seeks punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defending companies and to deter them from repeating their actions.
In his 10-count complaint, Harold Webster is seeking economic damages of more than $200,000, a judgment of more than $150,000, unspecified punitive and exemplary damages and compensatory damages of more than $100,000. He also seeks punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defending companies and to deter them from repeating their actions.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case numbers: 10-L-615, 10-L-635.