ST. LOUIS — The estate of a man who died after contracting mesothelioma is suing multiple corporations, citing alleged failure to warn of the harmful effects of working near asbestos products.
Dewey Kirk, individually and as the heir of the estate of the late Wesley Gerald Kirk, filed a complaint on Oct. 24 in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against 84 Lumber Co., ACE Hardware Corp., Advance Auto Parts Inc. et al., alleging that the defendants manufactured, sold and distributed asbestos-containing products that were dangerous to human health.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, between 1948 and 2001, Gerald Kirk was exposed to asbestos while working as a mechanic and fuel supervisor for the U.S. Air Force at various locations in the United States.
As a result, he died on April 1, 2017, due to mesothelioma, an asbestos-induced disease, the complaint said.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible for allegedly failing to provide any adequate instructions concerning the safe methods of working with or around the products containing asbestos.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in an amount in excess of $25,000 for each count, for punitive damages, costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and for any other relief the court deems reasonable. He is represented by Benjamin R. Schmickle and Matthew C. Morris of SWMW Law LLC in St. Louis.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court Case number 1722-CC11591