ST. LOUIS – The surviving spouse of a man formerly employed as an automobile mechanic alleges exposure to asbestos during his career caused him to develop lung cancer.
Nelvia Gray, individually and as executrix of the estate of James F. Gray, deceased, filed a complaint on Aug. 31 in the St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court against Caterpillar Inc., J.P. Bushnell Packing Supply Co., Owens-Illinois Inc., et al. alleging products liability and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that during James Gray's career life at locations in Missouri and throughout the Midwest, he was exposed to and inhaled or ingested asbestos fibers emanating from certain products manufactured, sold, distributed or installed by the defendants. The suit states that on or about June 14, 2014, he first became aware that he developed lung cancer, an asbestos-induced disease, and that the disease was wrongfully caused. He passed away on Aug. 31, 2015.
The plaintiff holds Caterpillar Inc., J.P. Bushnell Packing Supply Co., Owens-Illinois Inc., et al. responsible because the defendants 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 compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages against each defendant in an amount of more than $25,000. She is represented by Carson C. Menges of Menges Law LLC in Belleville, Illinois.
St. Louis 22nd Judicial Circuit Court case number 1822-CC11143