BELLEVILLE — A daughter is suing dozens of business that used asbestos materials, alleging failure to warn and negligence in the death of her father.
Judy Hipkins, individually and as special administrator of the estate of Ivan J. Dawley III, deceased, filed a complaint Dec. 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Blackmer Pump Company, et al, alleging they failed to exercise reasonable care and caution for the safety of others.
According to the complaint, at various times during Dawley's professional life, he was exposed to and inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by defendants. The suit says on Nov. 9, 2017, he first became aware that he had developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease. He died May 25, 2018.
Hipkins says she was deprived of her father's society and services.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants 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.
Hipkins seeks trial by jury, compensatory and economic damages of more than $50,000 and all further appropriate relief. She is represented by attorney Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 18-L-779