BELLEVILLE — A couple is suing dozens of users of asbestos products, alleging failure to warn and negligence led to the husband developing lung cancer.
Gerald Durham and Louis Durham filed a complaint Dec. 18 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against the dozens of defendants, alleging that they failed to exercise due care and caution for the safety of others.
According to the complaint,at various times during Gerald Durham's employment that began in 1970, he was exposed to and inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants. On April 20, 2018, Durham first became aware that he had developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease. Louis Durham alleges he has suffered loss of services and society of a husband.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants intentionally included asbestos fibers in their products when they knew the fibers had toxic, poisonous and highly deleterious effects on human health and they failed to provide adequate warnings and instructions concerning the dangers of working with or around products containing these fibers.
The Durhams seek trial by jury, damages of not less than $50,000 and all further appropriate relief. They are represented by attorney Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case number 18-L-814