BELLEVILLE – A Navy veteran alleges that his lung cancer was caused by exposure to asbestos during his military career and employment.
Albert W. Johnson filed a complaint on May 31 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Blackmer Pump Co., The Coca-Cola Co., Zurn Industries LLC, et al. alleging negligence and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that at various times during his employment and military career from 1956 to 1995, 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 March 19, he first became aware that he developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease, and that the disease was wrongfully caused.
The plaintiff holds Blackmer Pump Co., The Coca-Cola Co., Zurn Industries LLC, 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 compensatory and punitive damages of more than $50,000. He is represented by Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-383