Huntington Alloys is now called Special Metals.
CHARLESTON - A West Virginia man has filed an asbestos suit against 44 local and national companies, claiming he is sick because of the asbestos he was exposed to while working.
James Jackson Sluss filed a suit Oct. 10 in Kanawha Circuit Court, against 44 companies, specifically Huntington Alloys, the successor for Inco Alloys International, Inc., where he worked.
Sharon Ann Sluss is also named as a plaintiff in the case.
According to the suit, filed by Charleston attorney Cindy J. Kiblinger, James Sluss worked for Huntington Alloys in several work sites in West Virginia and Kentucky. During his working years, he was around asbestos and asbestos-containing materials.
As a result, he breathed in asbestos and developed an asbestos-related disease.
According to the suit, the defendants knew of the dangers of asbestos, yet did not warn their employees, or provide proper safety equipment.
Sluss claims the failure to warn employees constitutes malicious, willful and wanton misconduct.
In the 12-count suit, Sluss claims he suffered serious bodily injury, endured great pain and suffering and mental anguish and lost earnings and earning capacity.
Sharon Ann Sluss claims she has suffered a loss of consortium from her husband.
Together, James and Sharon Sluss seek compensatory and punitive damages to fully compensate them for their damages.
A visiting judge will be assigned to the case.
Kanawha Circuit Court case number 07-C-2144