EDWARDSVILLE — A former Madison County resident is suing product manufacturers, citing alleged negligence and wrongful death.
Cheryl Stamper, individually and as independent representative of the estate of Steve Stamper, filed a complaint Oct. 18 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Turtle Wax Inc., Shell Oil Co., Shell Chemical LP, BP Products North America and others, alleging they breached their duties to exercise reasonable care and caution for the safety of the general public.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that Steve Stamper was exposed to and inhaled or ingested benzene and benzene-containing pollutants that were negligently released into the environment by the defendants. As a result, she claims he developed glioblastoma multiform, underwent chemotherapy treatment and suffered physical and mental pain and a shortened lifespan, and incurred medical expenses. He ultimately died.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly negligently included benzene and benzene-containing pollutants in their products when adequate substitutes were available and failed to provide sufficient warnings and effective remedial measures.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks damages of more than $50,000, plus costs for this action and any further relief the court deems proper. She is represented by Christopher W. Dysart of The Dysart Law Firm PC in Chesterfield, Missouri.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 17-L-1444