Late woman's suit says she got asbestos through father's belongings

CHARLESTON - Pittsburgh attorney David Chervenick has filed an asbestos suit against 69 companies on behalf of a woman who died from asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Karen Morris, through Chervenick, filed a suit April 20 in Kanawha Circuit Court, on behalf of Sandra Ellen Phares. Morris is the administratix of Phares' estate. The suit claims Phares was made ill by asbestos-containing dust her father brought home from work with him.

Sandra Phares is the daughter of Richard Phares, who worked at Union Carbide in Institute and South Charleston and Marietta, Ohio.

"While residing in her home with her father, she was exposed to asbestos-containing dust on her father's clothing and on his person, which he carried home to his family from his various jobsites," the lawsuit states.

The suit claims Sandra Phares was exposed to asbestos dust by being in the same household as her father, riding in the family vehicles, and being involved with the laundry. She then contracted asbestosis and mesothelioma.

In a 14-count suit, Morris claims Phares died from her lung diseases.

The suit says the companies were all negligent in some way by producing, manufacturing, selling or using asbestos-related products.

Morris seeks compensation for the damages Phares suffered.

The case will be assigned to a visiting judge.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-786