Widow blames lung cancer on asbestos exposure in suit against Illinois Central

The spouse of a recently deceased man blames Illinois Central Railroad Company for causing her husband to develop lung cancer after exposing him to asbestos.

Katherine Jackson filed a lawsuit April 19 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Illinois Central Railroad.

In her complaint, Katherine Jackson alleges her recently deceased husband, Claudy Jackson, worked as a fireman for the railroad company from 1948 until 1951. During that time, Claudy Jackson was exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust, environmental tobacco smoke, silica, welding fumes, toxic dusts, gases and other fumes, according to the complaint.

As a result of his exposure, Claudy Jackson experienced great pain, disability, mental anguish and nervousness and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

On April 26, 2008, Claudy Jackson died after a battle against lung cancer, the complaint says.

As a result of Claudy Jackson's death, his wife claims she and his four grown children lost his financial support.

Katherine Jackson blames Illinois Central Railroad for causing her husband's injuries, saying it negligently failed to provide him with a safe place to work and with safe equipment, exposed him to asbestos and failed to warn him of asbestos exposure, among other negligent acts.

In her four-count complaint, Katherine Jackson is seeking a judgment of more than $200,000, plus costs.

William P. Gavin of Gavin Law Firm in Belleville will be representing her.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-201.