A Texas man has filed an asbestos suit against 22 defendant corporations, claiming the asbestos-related disease with which he was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.
George Warren claims he was diagnosed with the disease after working from 1948 until 1979 as an electrician's helper, pipe cutter, welder, painter, operator, foreman and laborer.
Warren alleges his disease was caused because he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers while at work. Warren claims he did not know of the hazards of asbestos exposure, according to the complaint.
Defending companies named in the complaint include A.O. Smith Corp., American Cyanamid Company, American Optical Corp., Ametek Inc., CBS Corp., Certainteed Corp., Chevron, Cleaver Brooks, Cytec Industries, Dana Companies, Garlock Sealing Technologies, Goodrich Corp., Greene Tweed and Co., Honeywell International, Huntsman Petrochemical Corp., Ingersoll-Rand Co., John Crane, Owens-Illinois, Texaco, Union Oil Company of California and Unocal Corp..
Warren states the defendants failed to adequately warn him of the serious health hazards related to asbestos exposure and failed to provide him with what would be considered adequate and safe working apparel.
In addition, the defending companies failed to provide Warren with a safe workplace, allowed a dangerous condition to exist, failed to warn Warren of the hazardous condition and to warn him that asbestos particles could lead to disease and failed to market asbestos products that were safe to use, according to the complaint.
The defendants negligently failed to test their products before they were released into the stream of commerce; failed to place warning labels on the asbestos products; failed to warn Warren on the proper way to handle asbestos products; failed to enforce a safety plan; and failed to follow government regulations, the suit states.
Because of his disease, Warren experienced physical pain, suffering and mental anguish; lost wages; lost his earning capacity; suffered disfigurement and physical impairment and incurred medical costs.
In the lawsuit, Warren is seeking actual and exemplary damages, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief to which he may be entitled.
He will be represented by Bryan O. Blevins Jr. and Aaryn K. Giblin of Provost and Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont.
The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.
Jefferson County District Court case number: E186-167.
22 companies named in Jefferson County asbestos suit
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