ST. LOUIS – A former mechanic for an Indiana company has filed suit against several Missouri-based companies over allegations he was exposed to asbestos through their products.
Elwood Kepler filed a complaint on Feb. 22 in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against General Gasket Corp., Hercules Inc., Union Carbide Corp., et al. alleging strict liability, negligence and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff was employed by Honeywell in Mishawaka, Indiana from 1967 to 1979 as a machine operator and maintenance mechanic. He alleges he was exposed to, inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by defendants.
He alleges that on or about June 7, 2016, he first became aware that he developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease, and that the disease was wrongfully caused.
The plaintiff holds General Gasket Corp., Hercules Inc., Union Carbide Corp., et al. responsible because the defendants allegedly negligently distributed products that contained asbestos fibers and failed to provide adequate warnings and instructions concerning the dangers of working with or around products containing asbestos fibers.
The plaintiff seeks compensatory and punitive damages of more than $25,000. 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 1822-CC00401