Man alleges asbestos exposure caused father's illness, death

GALVESTON - Alleging that an illness reportedly attributed to asbestos exposure killed his father, Jerry Mapp has filed a lawsuit.

Recent court documents filed Sept. 18 in Galveston County District Court blame a slew of companies, including BP and Pharmacia Corp., for Sam Billy Mapp's death from lung cancer on Sept. 23, 2010.

The suit shows Sam Billy Mapp worked as an operator from 1947 to 1952, claiming he was exposed to asbestos dust and fibers prior to 1980.

It is unknown as to when physicians diagnosed the decedent with cancer "which ultimately took his life."

"The defendants knew, or in the exercise of ordinary or reasonable care should have known, that the asbestos containing insulation and/or machinery they manufactured, sold, designed, supplied, distributed, mined, milled, relabeled, resold, processed, applied or installed was poisonous and highly harmful to the plaintiff's health," the original petition says.

The suit adds "the defendants failed to adequately warn of the asbestos containing products and/or machinery's dangers which rendered them unreasonably dangerous."

Consequently, Sam Billy Mapp's son seeks unspecified monetary damages.

Attorney Ian P. Cloud with Heard Robins Cloud & Black L.L.P. in Houston is representing his estate, and Galveston County 10th District Court Judge David Garner is presiding over the case.

Case No. 12-cv-2054