BELLEVILLE — A St. Clair County widow is suing dozens of companies, alleging their negligence exposed her husband to asbestos-related fibers that led to his death.
Gloria Hamilton, individually and as special administrator of the estate of Terry Hamilton, deceased, filed a lawsuit Aug. 19 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Armstrong Pumps Inc., Arvinmeritor Inc., Aurora Pump Co., Borg-Warner Morse Tec LLC, et al, alleging failure to exercise ordinary care and caution for the safety of the public and its employees.
According to the complaint, on Aug. 26, 2014, Terry Hamilton first became aware he had developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease, that ultimately led to his death July 23, 2015. At various times during his employment, which began in 1971 for a railroad company, the suit says Hamilton was exposed to, inhaled, ingested and absorbed large amounts of asbestos fibers emanating from certain products he was working with.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants negligently included asbestos in their products, failed to provide adequate warnings and instructions and failed to conduct proper testing on the their asbestos-containing products.
Gloria Hamilton seeks trial by jury, judgment against the defendants for compensatory damages of more than $50,000, plus additional punitive and exemplary damages of more than $50,000. She is represented by attorneys Randy L. Gori and Barry Julian of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 16-L 445