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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Gori firm files two new asbestos complaints in St. Louis court

Gori

An additional two asbestos cases have been added to the St. Louis Circuit Court docket.

On Feb. 16, two new complaints were filed in the 22nd Judicial Circuit in the City of St. Louis. Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville brought them. Erik Karst and J. Kyle Beale of Karst and Von Oiste in Houston will serve of counsel in the Araujo case.

Patrick and Maureen Appert sued 185 defendant corporations while Carlos Araujo filed a lawsuit against 44 defendant corporations. Neither the Apperts nor Araujo specify where they reside.

In their complaint, the Apperts allege the defendant companies caused Patrick Appert to develop mesothelioma after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career as a laborer on a family farm in Hazelton, N.D., from 1957 until 1971, as a laborer at a snowmobile manufacturer in Wahpeton, N.D., from 1971 until 1972, as a welder at Missile Site in Langdon, N.D., in 1972 and at a transformer station in Kansas City, Mo., in 1973, as a welder at a railroad repair shop in Kansas City, Mo., in 1973, as a welder at a nuclear power plant in Crystal River, Flor., and at a propane tank facility in Homosassa Springs, Flor., as a welder at Welk's Metal in Mandan, N.D., from 1973 until 1974, as a welder and pipefitter at Lelands Olds Power Plant in Stanton, N.D., and at Heskett Power Station in Mandan, N.D., from 1974 until 1975, as a welder, heater installer and pipefitter at Mandan Oil Refinery in Mandan, N.D., from 1975 until 1976 and from 1982 until 1983, as a boiler worker at Minnkota Power Plant in Center, N.D., from 1976 until 1977, as a pipefitter and boiler worker at Coal Creek Power Station Underwood, N.D., from 1977 until 1979, as a pipefitter and boiler worker at Antelope Valley Power Station in Beulah, N.D., from 1980 until 1981 and in 1984, as pipefitter and boiler worker at UPA Power Station in Stanton, N.D., in 1981, as a pipefitter and welder at ANG Gas Plant in Beulah, N.D., from 1981 until 1983, as a welder and Egan and Sons Fabrication Shop in Mandan, N.D., from 1982 until 1983 and as a pipefitter at Koch Oil Refinery in Rosemont, Minn.

Patrick Appert was also secondarily exposed to asbestos fibers through his father, who was a pipefitter and plumber, and through his grandfather, who was a plumber, according to the complaint.

In his complaint, Carlos Araujo alleges his recently deceased father, Americo Araujo, developed mesothelioma after he worked as a bricklayer for various constructors from the mid-1950s through the 1980s.

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

As a result of their asbestos-related diseases, Patrick Appert and Americo Araujo became disabled and disfigured, incurred medical costs and suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, the complaint says. 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 Americo Araujo's death, his family has incurred funeral costs and has been deprived of his support and society.

In their 15-count complaint, the Apperts are seeking actual and compensatory damages of more than $400,000, economic damages of more than $150,000 and punitive and exemplary damages of more than $50,000, plus other relief the court deems just. They also seek punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish Reichhold for its misconduct and to deter the company from similar actions in the future.

In his 11-count complaint, Carlos Araujo is seeking punitive and exemplary damages of more than $25,000, aggravated damages against each of the defendants of more than $25,000, economic damages of more than $150,000 and actual and compensatory damages of more than $200,000.

St. Louis Circuit Court case numbers: 12-L-872, 12-L-871.

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