Women sue 23 companies alleging asbestos exposure caused man's death

Four women have filed an asbestos suit against 23 defendant corporations on behalf of their recently deceased father and husband, claiming the asbestos-related disease with which the man was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.

According to the complaint, Donald G. Jones worked as an operator from 1957 until 1990.

Jones died on Jan. 21, 2008, from lung cancer. His family alleges the cancer was caused by Jones' exposure to asbestos-containing products in the work place.

The plaintiffs claim the defendants failed to provide Jones with information regarding appropriate apparel to wear around the products, according to a lawsuit filed Aug. 28 in Jefferson County District Court.

They say the defendant companies were negligent by failing to timely warn Donald G. Jones about the dangers of asbestos.

They state the companies also negligently failed to provide adequate warnings about the dangers of the asbestos-containing products, according to the lawsuit.

Named as defendants in the suit are Able Supply, Ameripol Synpol, AMF, Babcock and Wilcox Power, B.F. Goodrich, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, formerly known as Gulf Oil Corporation, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, Chevron USA, Erie Power Technologies, Goodrich Corporation, Guard Line and Gulf Oil Corporation.

Also Henry Vogt Machine Company, Huntsmen Petrochemical Corporation, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Michelin North America, formerly known as Uniroyal, Michelin North America, Mid Valley Construction Company, Riley Power, Texaco, Texaco Refining and Marketing, Triplex and Zurn Industries.

According to the suit, Donald G. Jones was unaware of the hazards and defects in the asbestos-containing products.

Because of his reliance on the companies, Jones suffered great physical pain and mental anguish, incurred medical costs, suffered from a physical impairment and suffered disfigurement before his death, according to the complaint.

Plaintiffs named in the suit are Jones' wife, Beatrice Jones, and his daughters Diana Hathorn, Donna Jones and Debra Jones Kovar.

They claim they have suffered the loss of Jones's care, maintenance, support, services, advice, counsel, companionship, consortium and society because of his sickness and death.

In addition, they lost the present value Jones would have added to the estate if not for his untimely death, the suit says.

Because of his death, they have suffered mental anguish and incurred funeral and burial expenses, the suit states.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking unspecified general, special, punitive and exemplary damages, plus costs, interest and for other relief the Court deems appropriate.

They are represented by Tina H. Bradley of Hobson and Bradley in Beaumont and by Paul D. Henderson of Orange.

The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.

Jefferson County District Court Case No. E184-803.