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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Beaumont family sues Goodrich, others over refinery worker's asbestos exposure

The family of a deceased Beaumont refinery worker has filed an asbestos suit on behalf of their recently deceased husband and father against four defendant corporations, claiming the mesothelioma with which he was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

Grace Williams, the wife of James C. Williams, and their daughters Brenda and Caroline Williams claim James C. Williams died from the disease on July 24, 2006, according to a lawsuit filed Jan. 26 in Jefferson County District Court.

According to the lawsuit, the women say their husband and father worked from 1943 until 1989 doing general maintenance as a laborer and lab technician in Port Neches at the Goodrich Corp. (formerly known as B.F. Goodrich Co. and Goodrich Gulf), Gulf Oil Corp., Guide-Line and Michelin North America Inc. facilities.

They claim his disease was caused after he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers at the defendant companies' facilities.

Grace, Brenda and Caroline state the defendants failed to warn James of the hazardous nature of the asbestos products, according to the lawsuit.

Grace alleges the asbestos-related disease caused the couple to incur substantial medical costs. James also experienced great physical pain, suffering, mental anguish, physical impairment and disfigurement as a result of the disease, Grace claims in the lawsuit.

Because of James's death, his family has been deprived of his society and has suffered mental dissemination, the suit states.

The plaintiffs claim they have been deprived of James's care, maintenance, support, services, advice, counsel, companionship, society and consortium.

They have suffered mental anguish and the loss of the present value of James, according to the complaint.

His family spent substantial amounts on funeral and burial costs, according to the complaint.

The Williams are seeking unspecified general, special, punitive and exemplary damages, plus costs, interest and other relief to which they may be entitled.

They are represented by Randall D. Collins of Brent Coon and Associates in Beaumont.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield of the 136th District Court.

Case No. D183-117

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