Represented by The Lanier Law Firm, a Port Arthur resident brought a lawsuit against her late husband’s employer for alleged negligence under the Jones Act.
Dolores Respess filed individually and as executrix of the estate of Roland Respess, deceased, against Texaco Inc. of Paradis, Louisiana; Energy Transfer Partners as successor-in-interest to Sunoco s/i Sun Oil Co. of Dallas; and Ingram Corporation s/i Ingram Ocean Systems Inc. of New Orleans in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Texas, Beaumont Division on June 5, claiming liability in her husband’s September 2013 death.
According to the suit, Roland Respess, a career merchant seaman employed by all defendants, was exposed to asbestos in the scope of his employment, and his employers allegedly knew of the hazards without alerting the decedent.
The filing states that as a result of Plaintiff’s exposure to asbestos, asbestos-containing products, and on-board machinery using asbestos or asbestos-containing products aboard defendants’ Ships, Plaintiff was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 2013 and died on Sept. 26, 2013.
The complaint cites the defendants with failure to provide a safe workplace, adequate warnings, proper supplies, materials, equipment, and protective gear and clothing.
Citing maritime law negligence and strict liability, the plaintiff sues for punitive and exemplary damages. She alleges pain, mental anguish; impairment and death; lost wages and consortium, and medical expenses.
Dolores Respess seeks general and special damages, pre- and post-judgment interest; attorney’s fees; expenses, and costs.
She is represented by W. Mark Lanier, Judson Waltman, and Charles F. Herd Jr. of The Lanier Law Firm in Houston.
Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas Case 1:15-cv-00209-MAC
Seaman’s widow sues Texaco alleging asbestos-related death
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