BELLEVILLE – The widow of a man who died earlier this year after being diagnosed with lung cancer alleges asbestos exposure caused the cancer.
Virginia Wintz, individually and as special administrator of the estate of Jackie Wintz, deceased filed a complaint on Nov. 15 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against A.W. Chesterton Inc., ABB Inc., BMI Refractory Services Inc., et al. alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that at various times during Jackie Wintz's work from 1964 to 2004 as a laborer at Porter Steel/Connor Steel/Steel of West Virginia, he was exposed to and inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by defendants.
The suit states that on or about June 6, he first became aware that he developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease, and that the disease was wrongfully caused. He died on July 8, the suit states.
The plaintiff holds A.W Chesterton Inc., ABB Inc., BMI Refractory Services Inc., et al. responsible because the defendants allegedly included asbestos fibers in their products when adequate substitutes were available and failed to provide adequate warnings and instructions concerning the dangers of working with or around products containing asbestos fibers.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages of no less than $50,000. She is represented by Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-675