HOUSTON — The estate of a former manufacturing plant worker claims exposure to hazardous chemicals caused her cancer and death.
Gabriella Davis, individually and as the personal representative of the Estate of Margaret Pettigrew, filed a complaint Dec. 5 in Harris County District Court against Westlake Chlor-Vinyls Corporation alleging liability, negligence, wrongful death and other claims.
Pettigrew, according to Davis' complaint, worked for Trane Corporation's Tyler, Texas manufacturing plant. She alleges that Westlake provided a degreasing agent that contained chemicals, including trichloroethylene and benzene to Trane's facility during Pettigrew's employment. Davis claims Pettigrew's exposure to the chemicals which are classified as human carcinogens, through vapors and drinking water caused her to develop kidney cancer/renal cell carcinoma which led to her death.
She further claims Trane's facility was classified as a "significant emitter of both hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds" that exceeded federal allowable standards. Davis alleges that Westlake failed to warn of the risks and failed to provide a safe degreaser for Pettigrew's work environment. She further alleges Westlake's negligence for failing to provide adequate training to employees and for its failure to comply with applicable rules and regulations.
Davis seeks monetary relief, interest, trial by jury and all other just relief. She is represented by Kurt Arnold, Caj Boatright and Roland Christensen of Arnold & Itkin LLP in Houston and Mark Mueller of Mueller Law PLLC in Austin.
Harris County District Court case number 2022-78677