BELLEVILLE — A pipefitter's death has led to allegations of negligent asbestos exposure against a host of well-known companies.
Rita Haney, as special administrator of the estate of Donald Files filed a complaint on Aug. 7 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against several manufacturers, including Bechtel Corporation, Chicago Bridge & Iron Company and the Coca-Cola Company.
According to the complaint, Files inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers through his work as a pipefitter. He discovered his lung cancer in 2015 and died two years later, the complaint states.
Haney claims the defendants intentionally included asbestos fibers in their products after knowing about the substance's toxic effects.
Haney requests a trial by jury and seeks compensatory and punitive damages of more than $50,000. She is represented by Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian & Associates in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-529