Baxley
The daughter of a recently deceased man claims her father died from mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos fibers throughout his career.
Claudia Harper filed a lawsuit Jan. 18 in Jefferson County District Court against Sabine Towing and Transportation Co., Chromally American, Sequa Corp., Kirby Corp., Kirby Inland Marine and ExxonMobil Corp.
In her complaint, Harper alleges her father, James Wesley Clark Jr., worked as a seaman for Sabine from 1942 until 1973. During his employment, Clark was exposed to asbestos, according to the complaint.
Clark developed mesothelioma, incurred medical costs and experienced physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress and physical impairment before his death.
Due to her father's death, Harper claims she incurred burial costs and lost his household services and his love and support, the suit states.
She blames the defendants for contributing to her father's death, saying they negligently designed vessels with unsafe materials containing asbestos, failed to design the vessels in such a way so as to protect Clark from exposure to asbestos, failed to design the vessels with proper warnings and failed to warn Clark of the dangers of asbestos exposure.
Harper seeks a judgment within the jurisdictional limits of Jefferson County District Court, plus post-judgment interest at the legal rate, costs and other relief the court deems just.
Jerry Easley and Bristol Baxley of Rome, Arata and Baxley in Pearland and Andrew McEnaney and Matthew Hull of Hissey and Kientz in Austin will be representing her.
Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. B191-671