Bryan Blevins
Failing to clarify if his client is suffering from an asbestos-induced illness or dead, Provost Umphrey attorney Bryan Blevins filed a suit on Robert T. Booker's behalf against the A.O. Smith Corp. and 51 other companies.
The suit was filed in the Jefferson County District Court on Feb. 25
In the suit, Blevins alleges that 52 companies knowingly and maliciously manufactured and distributed asbestos-containing products throughout Jefferson County.
Booker worked as a pipefitter for various area refineries," which caused him to suffer from…industrial dust diseases caused by breathing the asbestos-containing products," the suit said.
The suit alleges the defendants in the lawsuit were negligent for failing to adequately test their asbestos-laced products before flooding the market with dangerous goods and for failing to warn the consumer of the dangers of asbestos exposure.
"Plaintiff invokes the doctrine of strict liability and claims the products were defective and unreasonably dangerous," the suit said. "Such defects were a producing cause of Plaintiff's injuries and/or death."
Some of the defendants listed in the suit include Pfizer, Union Carbide Corp. and iron supplier Zurn Industries.
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.
Booker is suing for exemplary damages, plus 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.
Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd Judicial District, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. E181-310