Asbestos suit names 50 companies as defendants

A woman is blaming 50 defendant companies for the death of a man who allegedly developed a malignant asbestos-related disease and industrial dust diseases after working around products manufactured by the companies.

Denise Viges filed a lawsuit Dec. 14 in Jefferson County District Court on behalf of John Viges, claiming he died from an asbestos-related disease.

The defending companies named in the complaint are: Able Supply Co., Anderson Greenwood Crosby, Baltimore Ennis Land Co., Bechtel Corp., Bird Inc., Certainteed Corp., Chevron, Chevron USA, Cleaver Brooks, Copes Vulcan, Crown Cork and Seal Corp., D&F Distributing, Dana Corp., E.I. DuPont De Nemours and Co., Exxon Mobil Corp., Fluor Corp., Fluor Enterprises, Foseco, Foster Wheeler Constructors, General Electric Co., Georgia-Pacific LLC, Goulds Pumps, Guard-Line Inc., HB Zachry, Honeywell International, IMO Industries, Ingersoll-Rand Co., Insul Co., Kaiser Gypsum Co., KCG, Kelly-Moore Paint Co., Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Mundy Industrial Maintenance, Mundy Industrial Service, Murco Wall Products, Oakfabco, Oglebay Norton Co., Owens-Illinois, Rapid American Corp., Phillip Carey Corp., Riley Power Inc., Santa Fe Braun, Sepco Corp., The Mundy Companies, Trane USA, Union Carbide Corp., Uniroyal Holding, Viacom, Yarway Corp. and Zurn Industries.

Denise Viges alleges the defendant companies caused John Viges's disease because they failed to adequately test their products and failed to warn of the dangers of asbestos exposure.

At the time the products were manufactured, the defending companies knew of the hazards associated with asbestos but failed to remove their products from the market, according to the complaint.

Some defendant companies failed to provide John Viges with adequate masks to protect him from the asbestos, while other businesses forced John Viges to work in close proximity to asbestos, the suit states.

Because of his exposure to the asbestos fibers, John Viges experienced pain, suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement and physical impairment before his death, the complaint says.

Denise Viges claims she has incurred medical and funeral bills relating to John Viges's death.

Denise Viges is seeking general, special, punitive and exemplary damages, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief to which she may be entitled.

Frank J. Wathen and Hilary G. Reagin of Brent Coon and Associates in Houston is representing her.

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

Case No. E191-475