BELLEVILLE — A widow is suing Armstrong International Inc., Boeing and dozens of users of asbestos products, alleging failure to warn and negligence in the death of her husband.
Valorie Paxton, individually and as special representative of the estate of Michael Paxton, filed a complaint Jan. 16 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against the dozens of defendants, alleging failure to exercise reasonable care and caution for the safety of others.
According to the complaint, at various times during Michael Paxton's work career that started in 1974, the decedent was exposed to and inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by defendants.
On July 23, 2018, Michael Paxton first became aware that he had developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease, and subsequently learned that the disease was wrongfully caused. He died July 28, 2018.
Valorie Paxton says she suffered the loss of the society and services of her husband. 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 such fibers.
Valorie Paxton seeks trial by jury, compensatory damages of more than $50,000 and all further just and equitable relief. She is represented by attorney Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case number 19-L-48