Provost Umphrey attorney Brian Blevins is no stranger to the Jefferson County courthouse, filing three asbestos lawsuits in two weeks.
In this case, Blevins will represent Calvin Breaux and sue the A.O. Smith Corp., along with a dozen other major corporations, for distributing products containing asbestos throughout Jefferson County.
The suit was filed Oct. 3 in Jefferson County District Court.
Provost Umphrey is best known for organizing asbestos and benzene class-action lawsuits against chemical refineries.
Throughout his career, the plaintiff worked at area plants, the suit says.
The suit says the defendants entangled in the 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."
The plaintiff 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.
Judge Bob Wortham of the 58th Judicial District will preside over the case.
Case No. A182-492