Two couples sue multiple companies in asbestos cases

CHARLESTON -- Two couples are suing multiple companies in separate asbestos-related suits.

William Bruce Looney and Ruth Ellen Looney named 74 companies, and Michael S. Pauley and Linda Pauley named 40 companies involved in their separate suits, according to complaints filed Nov. 6 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Mr. Looney and Mr. Pauley claim they were exposed to asbestos products of the defendants while working at various job sites over many years.

On Nov. 17, 2007, Mr. Looney was diagnosed with asbestosis. He claims he never smoked. Mr. Pauley was diagnosed with lung cancer on March 19, 2009, but claims he smoked one pack per day for 49 years.

According to both suits, the defendants are being sued for negligence, contaminated buildings, breach of expressed/implied warranty, strict liability, intentional tort, conspiracy, misrepresentations and post-sale duty to warn.

Both couples are suing for trials by jury to resolve all issues concerning their asbestos-related cases. They are being represented by Cindy J. Kiblinger of James F. Humphreys & Associates, and Victoria Antion of Motley Rice.

The companies named in Mr. and Mrs. Looney's case are 3M Company; A.W. Chesterton; Allegheny Energy Service Corporation; American Electric Power; American Electric Power Service Corporation; American Union Boiler Company of West Virginia, LLC; Appalachian Power Company; Armacell, LLC; Aurora Pump Company; Brand Insulations, Inc.; Bucyrus International, Inc.; Catalytic, Inc.; Certainteed Corporation; Cleaver-Brooks Company, Inc.; Columbus McKinnon Corporation; Crane Co.; Crown, Cork & Seal USA, Inc.; DeZurik, Inc.; Dougherty Company, Inc.; Dow Chemical Company; E. I. DuPont de Nemours; Elliott Turbo Machinery Company; Erie City Iron Works; F.B. Wright Company; BW IP, Inc.; Flowserve US, Inc.; FMC Corporation; Foseco, Inc.; Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation; Garlock, Inc.; General Electric Company; Goulds Pumps; Honeywell International, Inc.; I. U. North American, Inc.; Gage Company; IMO Industries, Inc.; Industrial Holdings Corporation; Ingersoll-Rand Company; Insul Company, Inc.; ITT Corporation; Jabo Supply Corporation; Lawrence Pumps, Inc.; McCarl's, Inc.; McJunkin Corporation; Meadwestvaco Corporation; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; Monongahela Power Company; Monsanto Company; Morgan Engineering, Inc.; Nagle Pumps, Inc.; Nitro Industrial Coverings, Inc.; Northern Fabricating Company, Inc.; Diamond Shamrock Chemical Corporation; Oglebay Norton Company; Ohio Valley Insulating Company, Inc.; Ohio Power Company; Pennzoil-Quaker State Company; Pneumo Abex Corporation; Rapid American Corporation; Reading Crane; Riley Power, Inc.; Square D Company; State Electric Supply Company; Sterling Fluid Systems (US), LLC; Stockham Valves & Fittings; Tasco Insulations, Inc.; the F.D. Lawrence Electric Company; UB West Virginia, Inc.; Union Carbide Chemical and Plastics Company, Inc.; Union Carbide Chemical & Plastics Company; Uniroyal, Inc.; Viacom, Inc.; Vimasco Corporation; and West Virginia Electric Supply.

The companies named in Mr. and Mrs. Pauley's case are 3M Company; A.W. Chesterton; Aurora Pump Company; Brand Insulations, Inc.; Caterpillar, Inc.; Certainteed Corporation; Cleaver-Brooks Company, Inc.; Crane Co.; Eaton Corporation; Elliott Company; Flowserve FSD Corporation; Flowserve US, Inc.; FMC Corporation; Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation; Garlock, Inc.; General Electric Company; Goulds Pumps; Honeywell International, Inc.; ITT Corporation; Industrial Holdings Corporation; Ingersoll-Rand Company; McJunkin Corporation; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; National Service Industries, Inc.; Nitro Industrial Coverings, Inc.; Ohio Valley Insulating Company, Inc.; Pneumo Abex Corporation; Rapid American Corporation; Riley Power, Inc.; Rockwell Automations, Inc.; Rust International, Inc.; Square D Company; State Electric Supply Company; Superior Boiler Works, Inc.; Tasco Insulations, Inc.; UB West Virginia, Inc.; Viacom, Inc.; Vimasco Corporation; and West Virginia State Electric Supply.

Kanawha Circuit Court case numbers: 09-C-2091, 09-C-2092