EDWARDSVILLE — A couple filed suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court claiming that dozens of companies that produced asbestos-containing products were negligent in causing the husband's lung cancer.
Plaintiffs Nathaniel and Vela Harrison are represented by Edwardsville attorneys Randy Gori and Barry Julian of Gori Julian of Gori Julian & Associates, who filed the complaint on March 29.
Nathaniel Harrison worked from 1967 to 1970 as a sprayer at Smokes Manufacturing Plant and from 1970 to 2008 as a weaver and machine operator at Asten Hill (AstenJohnson).
In December, Harrison was diagnosed with lung cancer.
The complaint said that the "plaintiff was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed large amounts of asbestos fibers emanating from certain products he was working with and around which were manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants."
Among the counts against the dozens of defendants are negligence allegations against the manufacturers; willful and wanton conduct against the manufacturers; conspiracy against Metropolitan Life Insurance; fraudulent misrepresentation against AstenJohnson; battery and intentional emotional distress count against AstenJohnson; negligence by manufacturers of respirator products; willful and wanton conduct by manufacturers of respirator products; and loss of consortium.
In filing the eight-count complaint in March, the Harrisons are looking for damages of at least $50,000 per count.