BELLEVILLE – A widow alleges her husband's cancer-related death was caused by his exposure to asbestos during his career.
Julia Rajsich, individually and as special administrator of the estate of James Rajsich, deceased filed a complaint on Dec. 6 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against ArcelorMittal USA Inc., Beazer East Inc., Cleaver-Brooks, et al. alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that at various times during plaintiff's decedent James Rajsich's work from 1957 to 1991 as a laborer, he was exposed to and inhaled or ingested large amounts of asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by defendants.
The suit states that on or about Jan. 31, James Rajsich first became aware that he developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease, and that the disease was wrongfully caused. James Rajsich died on Sept. 22, the suit states.
The plaintiff holds Acelormittal USA Inc., Beazer East Inc., Cleaver-Brooks, et al. responsible because the defendants allegedly negligently 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 economic damages of more 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-725