124 companies named in four asbestos suits

CHARLESTON - Four families filed lawsuits against 124 companies, claiming they suffered from deadly asbestos exposure while working with or around products from the companies.

Pittsburgh attorney David P. Chervenick and Charleston attorney Scott Segal filed the lawsuits June 11 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Doris Bowen of Barboursville filed the suit on behalf of the estate of Lemuel Bowen. Lemuel Bowen worked as a welder at American Car Foundry in Huntington. He had lung cancer and asbestosis.

Virginia Harris, also of Barboursville, filed the lawsuit on behalf of the estate of Jack Harris. Jack Harris for years as an electrician for IBEW Local 317. He has asbestosis and lung cancer.

Walter Socha, of Martins Ferry, Ohio, filed the suit on his own behalf. He worked as a laborer and pipefitter at Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel. He currently has asbestosis and lung cancer.

John F. Stoll and Betty J. Stoll live in Wintersville, Ohio. John Stoll worked as a laborer, electrician and crane operator at Weirton Steel in Weirton, W.Va. He has asbestosis and mesothelioma.

According to the suit, the plaintiffs were each exposed to asbestos and other harmful ingredients contained in products manufactured, supplied and sold by various defendants. The suit says the defendants failed to warn of the dangers of their products.

In the 17-count suit, the plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages. Bowen and Harris also claim the deaths of their husbands constitute wrongful deaths.

The suit also seeks injunctive relief for other people similarly situated.

The cases will be assigned to a visiting judge.

Kanawha Circuit Court cases 08-C-1136, 08-C-1137, 08-C-1138 and 08-C-1139