BELLEVILLE — Two people are accusing a number of companies of not warning about the risks of working around asbestos.
Gerald Wendland and Georgia Wendland filed a complaint March 22 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Blackmer Pump Co., The Coca-Cola Co., Ford Motor Co. and others alleging they breached their duties to exercise due care and caution for the safety of others.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that during Gerald Wendland's work from 1948 to 1992, he was exposed to asbestos fibers in certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants. On Aug. 1, he learned he developed lung cancer. He claims he has suffered and continues to suffer great pain and anguish and that he will need substantial medical care and will incur treatment expenses. The plaintiffs hold the defendants responsible because they allegedly intentionally included asbestos fibers in their products when they knew that it would negatively affect human health and failed to provide warnings and instructions about working with or near products containing asbestos fibers.
The plaintiffs seek compensatory damages at least $50,000. They are represented by Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-209