Another asbestos suit filed in St. Clair County

Another lawsuit has been added St. Clair County's asbestos docket.

James D. Barber filed an asbestos lawsuit in St. Clair County Circuit Court on Sept. 6 against 57 defendant corporations. Barber does not specify where he resides.

James Barber will be represented by Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville.

In his complaint, James Barber alleges the defendant companies caused his recently deceased father, Jimmie Barber, to develop lung cancer after his exposure to asbestos-containing products throughout his career.

Jimmie Barber worked as an engine room operator in the U.S. Navy from 1953 until 1971 and as a maintenance supervisor for Meriweather County Schools from 1971 until 2000, according to the complaint.

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.

As a result of his asbestos-related diseases, Jimmie Barber 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 to him, James Barber claims.

In his six-count complaint, James Barber is seeking a judgment of more than $150,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000, economic damages of more than $50,000 and punitive damages in an amount sufficient to punish the defendants for their misconduct, plus other relief the court deems just.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 12-L-463.