ST. LOUIS — A former laborer is suing Union Carbide Corp., A.W. Chesterton Inc., Ingersol-Rand Co., and others, alleging negligence.
Lonnie W. Heckmaster filed a complaint on Jan. 29 in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against the defendants alleging that they failed to take reasonable precautions for the safety of others.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that during his employment from 1960 to 1997, he was exposed to and inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants. On July 17, 2017, the plaintiff was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-induced disease. As a result, the plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of enjoyment of life and a shortened life span.
The plaintiff holds Union Carbide Corp., A.W. Chesterton Inc., Ingersol-Rand Co., and others responsible because they allegedly negligently included asbestos fibers in their products when adequate substitutes were available, and failed to provide adequate warnings and instructions concerning the dangers of working with or around products containing asbestos fibers.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury; and seeks judgment against the defendants jointly and severally for damages in excess of $25,000, plus punitive damages, costs, and any further relief as the court deems just and proper. The plaintiff is represented by Andrew C. O'Brien, Christopher J. Thoron, Bartholomew J. Baumstark, Gerald J. FitzGerald and Adam J. Reynolds of the O'Brien Law Firm PC in St. Louis.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1822-CC00183