Pa. man sues 88 companies for asbestosis, colon cancer

CHARLESTON -- A Gibsonia, Pa., man is suing 88 companies after he claims they are responsible for his asbestosis and colon cancer.

Raymond Bittner was exposed to and did inhale dust and asbestos fibers during his employment career, according to a complaint filed Feb. 16 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

In October 2010, Bittner claims he was diagnosed with colon cancer and asbestosis.

Bittner claims the defendants failed to advise him of the dangerous characteristics of asbestos and asbestos-related products; failed to provide him with the knowledge as to what would be reasonably safe and sufficient wearing apparel and proper protective equipment; and failed to place warnings on their containers.

Bittner is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Brian A. Prim.

The case has been assigned to a visiting judge.

The 88 defendants named in the suit are Ajax Magnethermic Corporation; AK Steel Corporation; Allegheny Energy, Inc.; Allied Chemical Corporation; Allied Glove Corporation; American Electric Power Company, Inc.; American Electric Power Service Corporation; Appalachian Power Company; Armstrong International, Inc.; Armstrong Pumps, Inc.; Atlas Industries, Inc.; Bayer Corporation; Beazer East, Inc.; Brand Insulations, Inc.; Cashco, Inc.; CBS Corporation; Champlain Cable Corporation; Copes-Vulcan, Inc.; Crane Co.; Crown Cork & Seal Company; DeZurik, Inc.; Dravo Corporation; Durametallic Corporation; Eaton Corporation; Eichleay Corporation; Elliott Turbomachinery Company, Inc.; F.B. Wright Company; Fairmont Supply; Flowserve U.S., Inc.; Foseco, Inc.; Foster Wheeler Corporation; General Electric Company; George V. Hamilton, Inc.; Goulds Pumps, Inc.; Greene Tweed & Company; Grinnell, LLC; Hedman Resources Limited; Honeywell, Inc; Hunter Sales Corporation; I.U. North America, Inc.; IMO Industries, Inc.; Industrial Holdings Corporation; Ingersoll-Rand; Insul Company, Inc.; ITT Corporation; J.H. France Refractories Company; J.M. Foster, Inc.; Joy Technologies; M.S. Jacobs & Associates, Inc.; Mallinckrodt Group, Inc.; Marley Cooling Tower; McCann Shields Paint Company; McCarls, Inc.; McJunkin Red Man Corporation; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; Milton Roy Company; Milwaukee Valve Company; Mine Safety Appliance Company; Minnotte Contracting Corporation; Monongahela Power Company; Nagle Pumps, Inc.; Nitro Industrial Coverings, Inc.; Oglebay Norton Company; Ohio Power; Ohio Valley Insulating Company; Owens-Illinois, Inc.; Plotkin Brothers Supply, LLP; Power Piping; PPG Industries, Inc.; Premier Refractories, Inc.; Riley Stoker Corporation; Safety First Industries, Inc.; Sealite, Inc.; Spirax Sarco, Inc.; Square D Company; Stockham Valves & Fittings; Tasco Insulation, Inc.; the Sager Corporation; Thiem Corporation; Townsend & Bottum, Inc.; Treco Construction Services; UB West Virginia, Inc.; Unifrax Corporation; United Conveyor Corporation; United States Steel Corporation; Vimasco Corporation; Washington Group International; and Yarway Corporation.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-256