Keith Hyde
The children of the late Warren Schroeder are suing their father's former employer, Texaco Inc., for negligently and maliciously exposing him to asbestos.
Charles and Russell Schroeder filed their lawsuit against Texaco and Michelin North America with the Jefferson County District Court on June 4. Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd Judicial District, has been assigned to the case.
According to the plaintiffs' petition, Warren worked at the Port Arthur Texaco refinery as a helper and operator. During his time there he was exposed to "toxic materials, including asbestos."
"As a result of such exposure, Warren developed an asbestos-related disease, specifically, mesothelioma, for which he died a painful and terrible death on Sept. 2, 2006," the suit said. "The defendant knew for decades that asbestos…could cause disease and still allowed its employees to work with and around asbestos."
The suit says the defendants acted with malice and negligence and failed to warn its workers of the dangers of asbestos and failed to take the necessary safety precautions.
"As a result of the aforementioned malice and gross neglect of the defendants, plaintiffs seek claims for all elements of damages allowable under the law, including exemplary damages and seek to recover from defendants an amount in excess of the jurisdictional limits of this court," the suit said.
The plaintiffs are represented by Provost Umphrey attorney Keith Hyde, and are demanding a trial by jury.
Case No. E179-434