Gori
More asbestos lawsuits have been added to the growing list of cases in St. Clair County's asbestos docket.
Raymond Paskauskas of Illinois, Raymond R. Ridley and Leon and Catherine Zbigniewicz filed three separate lawsuits in St. Clair County Circuit Court. Ridley and the Zbigniewiczes do not specify where they reside.
Paskauska is represented by Dave Cates of Cates Law Firm in Swansea, and Erik Karst and J. Kyle Beale of Karst and von Oiste in Houston. Ridley and the Zbigniewiczes are represented by Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville.
In his complaint filed Aug. 23, Raymond Paskauskas alleges 58 defendant companies caused his recently deceased father, Joseph Paskauskas, to develop mesothelioma after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career.
Joseph Paskauskas worked as a machine repairman at Pullman Standard from 1947 until 1954, as a machine repairman at Continental Foundry in Chicago from 1951 until 1953, as a machine repairman at General Motors Fisher Body from 1950 until 1951 and from 1954 until 1956, as a machine repairman at Ford Motor Company from 1956 until 1986 and as a shade tree mechanic from the 1950s until 1980, according to the complaint.
In his complaint filed Aug. 26, Ridley claims 28 defendant companies caused him to develop lung cancer after he was exposed to asbestos fibers throughout his career as a tankman in the U.S. Army from 1960 until 1963, as a laborer at General Motors from 1970 until 1975 and as a carpenter, demolition worker, iron worker, electrician, asbestos abatement and laborer from 1975 until 2004.
According to the Zbigniewiczes' complaint filed Sept. 6, Leon Zbigniewicz developed lung cancer after his work as an equipment mechanic in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 until 1972, as a laborer from 1972 until 1974, as a laborer at Portage Power Plant from 1973 until 1974, as a laborer at Kenosha Power Plant in 1974, as a laborer from 1974 until 1977 and as a maintenance mechanic from 1980 until 1995.
The defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for the plaintiffs' or their deceased relative's safety, the suits state.
As a result of their asbestos-related diseases, Joseph Paskauskas, Ridley and Leon Zbigniewicz became disabled and disfigured, 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 Joseph Paskauskas's death, Raymond Paskauskas has been deprived of his family member's love, services, companionship, comfort, instruction, guidance, counsel, training and support, according to the complaints.
In his nine-count complaint, Raymond Paskauskas is seeking economic damages of more than $200,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $100,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000, punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants and a judgment of more than $50,000.
In his five-count complaint, Ridley is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, 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.
In their three-count complaint, the Zbigniewiczes are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, punitive and exemplary damages of more than $100,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000 and punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case numbers: 11-L-473, 11-L-483, 11-L-499.