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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Smoker blames asbestos exposure for lung cancer, sues corporations

Attorney Bryan Blevins of Provost Umphrey is representing another plaintiff suing the A.O. Smith Corp., along with 42 other major corporations, for distributing products containing asbestos throughout Jefferson County.

Willie Scott is blaming an assortment of corporations, such as aerospace giant Lockheed Martin and Zurn Industries, for manufacturing and distributing asbestos laced products. Medical records attached to his lawsuit state that he had a significant occupational exposure to asbestos, probably while working as a laborer for the Texaco refinery from 1952 to 1983.

The document also says Scott, a lung cancer patient, has been a cigarette smoker for most of his adult life. He is around 71 years of age.

The petition says the 43 defendants entangled in his lawsuit were negligent, failing to adequately test their asbestos-laced products before flooding the market with dangerous goods.

In addition, the petition faults Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Corp. (3M Corporation) and American Optical Corp. for producing defective masks that failed to "provide respiratory protection."

Scott is suing for physical pain and suffering in the past and future, mental anguish in the past and future, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, disfigurement in the past and future, physical impairment in the past and future, and past and future medical expenses.

His petition was filed on April 4 with the Jefferson County District Court. Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

An almost identical petition was filed a few days earlier by Provost Umphrey on the behalf of Donald Sims.

Case No. D179-064

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