Widow files asbestos suit for husband's estate

CHARLESTON - The widow of a man who died from complications to asbestos exposure has filed a suit on behalf of her late husband's estate.

Dorothy Jean Preece filed the suit July 18 in Kanawha Circuit Court on behalf of her husband Joseph Preece.

According to the suit, Joseph Preece worked at Owens-Illinois Glass plant in Huntington, as a glass blower, from 1953 to 1988.

Preece was exposed to asbestos dust and other harmful dusts as the result of the manufacture, sale, distribution and installation of asbestos-containing products. He died July 19, 2006.

The suit says Preece suffered inconvenience, loss of quality and enjoyment of life, shortening of his life expectancy and lung cancer. Dorothy Preece claims she and her children have suffered medical expenses, great pain of body and mind and the loss of consortium.

In the seven-count suit, Dorothy Preece seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Attorney Cindy Kiblinger is representing Preece. The case will be assigned to a visiting judge.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number 08-C-1392