Jim Humphreys
CHARLESTON - The law firm James Humphreys and Associates recently filed several asbestos lawsuits against 67 defendants.
Through attorney Cindy J. Kiblinger, 10 asbestos cases were filed May 15 in Kanawha Circuit Court. The cases share a common complaint, though each one received its own case number.
The plaintiffs listed on each of the nine cases are Everett and Eldora Delong; Clifton Odell Fletcher; Clarence and Delphia Halstead; Russell and Shelia Howell; Richard Huffman; David and Vickie Keller; Roger and Dicie Kirby; Roger and Virginia Mayes; Malvern and Dorothy Sluss; and Rudolph and Freida Thompson.
Each of the men listed claim to have been exposed to asbestos while working, and the women are suing for loss of consortium. Asbestos exposure is known to help cause several lung diseases, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
"Plaintiffs were exposed to asbestos and other harmful dusts as the result of the manufacture, sale, distribution and installation of asbestos-containing products by the defendants," the complaint says.
Of the 67 defendants, only six were listed to be West Virginia-based.
Those are: Industrial Holdings, frequently known as Carborundum Co.; Vimasco Corp.; McJunkin Corp.' State Electric Supply Co.; Union Boiler Co.; and west Virginia Electric Supply Co.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
A visiting judge will be assigned the cases.
Kanawha Circuit Court case numbers 06-C-920 through 06-C-925 and 06-C-927 through 06-C-930