Gori
Another asbestos lawsuit has been added to the growing list of cases in St. Clair County's asbestos docket.
Kay Richter of Wisconsin filed an asbestos lawsuit Oct. 21 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against 30 defendant companies.
Kay Richter is represented by Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville. Erik Karst, J. Kyle Beale and Matthew T. Wright of Karst and von Oiste in Houston will serve of consel.
In her complaint, Kay Richter alleges the defendant companies caused her recently deceased husband, Robert E. Richter Sr., to develop lung cancer after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career.
Robert E. Richter Sr. worked as a mechanic at Jones Auto Garage from 1964 until 1969, as a mechanic at Wunnicke Transfer Auto Garage from 1969 until 1978 and as a mechanic at Boscobel Track and Roller Auto Garage from 1980 until 2000, the suit states.
The defendants should have known of the harmful effects of asbestos, but failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for the plaintiffs' safety, the suit states.
Because of his disease, Robert E. Richter Sr. 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, the plaintiff claims.
Ultimately, the disease caused Robert E. Richter Sr. to die on Feb. 27, 2010, leaving his family without his support and society. In addition, Robert E. Richter Sr.'s next-of-kin incurred funeral and burial costs, according to the complaint.
In her five-count complaint, Kay Richter is seeking compensatory damages of more than $100,000, economic damages of more than $50,000 and punitive and exemplary damages of more than $50,000, plus other relief the court deems just.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-598.