BELLEVILLE — A couple is suing a number of companies claiming the husband was exposed to asbestos during his career.
Gary Friend and Beverly Friend filed a complaint March 7 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Aldrich Co., Caterpillar Inc., Pecora Corp. and others alleging they failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for the safety of others.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that at times during Gary Friend's career, he was exposed to and inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants. On July 28, he became aware that he developed lung cancer and claims the disease was wrongfully caused. The plaintiffs hold the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly negligently included asbestos fibers in their products when substitutes were available and failed to provide adequate warning and instruction about the danger of working with or around products containing asbestos fibers.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek compensatory damages of more than $50,000 and any further relief as the court may deem appropriate. They are represented by Ethan A. Flint and Laci M. Whitley of Flint Law Firm LLC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-162