Blevins
A Texas woman is blaming 36 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.
Kimberly Ogden filed a lawsuit Feb. 15 in Jefferson County District Court on behalf of Robert J. Goins, claiming he died from an asbestos-related disease.
Before his death, Robert J. Goins filed an asbestos suit, but Kimberly Ogden brings her complaint on allegations that Robert J. Goins died from a different, malignant asbestos-related disease than was named in his previous lawsuit.
The defending companies named in the complaint are: A.W. Chesterton, Able Supply Co., Ameraflex Rubber and Gasket Co., Ametek, Asten Group, Bayer Cropscience, Bechtel Corp., CBS Corp., Certainteed, Cleaver Brooks, Crown, Cork and Seal Co., D&F Distributing, Dana Companies, Flowserve Corp., Fluor Enterprises, Fluor Maintenance Services, Foster Wheeler Constructors, Foster Wheeler Corp., Foster Wheeler Entergy Corp., General Electric Corp., Goulds Pumps, Henry Vogt Machine Co., Hopeman Brothers Machine Interiors, IMO Industries, Ingersoll Rand Co., Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., Owens-Illinois, Ref Chem, Riley Power, Sepco Corp., Sterling Fluid Systems, Treco Construction Services, Union Carbide Corp., Viking Pump and Zurn Industries.
Kimberly Ogden alleges the defendant companies caused Robert J. Goins'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, such as 3M and American Optical Corp., failed to provide Robert J. Goins with adequate masks to protect him from the asbestos, while other businesses forced Robert J. Goins to work in close proximity to asbestos, the suit states.
Because of his exposure to the asbestos fibers, Robert J. Goins experienced pain, suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement and physical impairment before his death, the complaint says. He also lost wages and his earning capacity, according to the complaint.
Kimberly Goins claims she has incurred medical and funeral bills relating to Robert J. Goins's death.
Kimberly Goins is seeking actual and exemplary damages, plus costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief to which she may be entitled.
Bryan O. Blevins Jr. of Provost and Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont is representing her.
The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court.
Case No. E191-968