Chevron accused of gross negligence in alleged asbestos-related death

The family of a Jefferson County man alleges asbestos exposure while working for Chevron caused him to die from lung cancer. 

Rosemary Philmon, surviving spouse of Jesse Philmon, and Terry and Ryan Philmon, his surviving children, filed a lawsuit against Chevron USA Inc. on Aug. 22 in Jefferson County District Court.  According to the complaint, Jesse Philmon was employed by Gulf Oil/Chevron in Jefferson County where he was allegedly "exposed to toxic materials including asbestos dust and fibers." Philmon developed lung cancer "from which he died a painful and terrible death March 6, 2013," the lawsuit reads. 

Philmon's family alleges Chevron has known for decades that asbestos-containing products could cause asbestos-related cancers but still allowed employees to be exposed to it on the job. They accuse the company of gross negligence for allegedly failing to take the necessary precautions or provide adequate training for Jesse Philmon. 

Rosemary Philmon and her sons seek an unspecified amount in exemplary and punitive damages. Attorney J. Keith Hyde, with the Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont, represents the family. 

Jefferson County District Court case number: D196-039

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at Jefferson County District Court. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note that a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt and it represents only one side of the story.