ST. LOUIS — Heirs are suing a number of corporations, citing alleged failure to protect and failure to warn individuals of the harmful effects of asbestos.
Michelle Jones and Tammy Reeves, as surviving heirs of Charles Leonard, deceased, filed a complaint May 16 in the St. Louis Circuit Court against 3M Co., 84 Lumber Co., Borgwarner Morse Tec LLC, et al., alleging that the defendants failed their duty to exercise reasonable care and caution for the safety of the decedent and others working with or around the products.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that during Leonard's employment for Cotton Nightbert, he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers emanating from certain products of the defendants. Leonard was diagnosed with lung cancer May 13, 2014, and died Aug. 6, 2014.
The plaintiffs hold the defendants responsible because they allegedly failed to provide warnings to people working with or around the products, failed to provide adequate instructions on how avoid inhaling the asbestos and failed to conduct tests on the asbestos-containing products.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment for actual and compensatory damages, punitive and exemplary damages in an amount in excess of $25,000 for each and such other relief to which the court deems proper. They are represented by Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian and Associates in Edwardsville, Illinois, and Jason M. Ministrellu and Erik P. Karst of Karst and von Oiste LLP in Houston.
St. Louis Circuit Court case number 1722-CC01316