Ky. couple names 41 companies in asbestos suit

CHARLESTON – A Louisville, Ky., couple is suing 41 companies they claim are responsible for a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Wayne Paul Tyler was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April, according to a complaint filed July 29 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Tyler claims he was exposed to asbestos and/or asbestos-containing products during his employment as a pipefitter and automotive repair person from the 1940s until the 1970s.

The defendants are being sued upon theories of negligence, contaminated buildings, breach of expressed/implied warranty, strict liability, intentional tort, conspiracy, misrepresentation and post-sale duty to warn, according to the suit.

Tyler claims the defendants failed to warn him of the dangers of the asbestos-containing products.

Tyler and his wife, Imogene Watts Tyler, are seeking a jury trial to resolve all issues involved. They are being represented by Victoria Antion, John Hurst and Scott A. McGee.

The case has been assigned to a visiting judge.

The 41 companies named as defendants in the suit are 3M Company; A.O. Smith Corporation; A.W. Chesterton Company; BMW of North America, LLC; Beazer East, Inc.; Borg-Warner Corporation; Certainteed Corporation; Crane Co.; Dana Corporation; Eaton Electrical, Inc.; Flowserve US, Inc.; FMC Corporation; Ford Motor Company; Genuine Parts Company; Georgia Pacific Corporation; Gordon Gasket &. Packing Co.; Goulds Pumps, Inc.; Honeywell International; Industrial Holdings Corporation; Ingersoll-Rand Company; ITT Corporation; Hammel Dahl Valves; Kelsey-Hayes Company; Maremont Corporation; McJunkin Corporation; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; Owens-Illinois, Inc.; Pneumo Abex Corporation; Rapid American Corporation; Rockwell Automation, Inc.; Schneider Electric; State Electric Supply Company; Sterling Fluid Systems (USA), LLC; Tasco Insulations, Inc.; Uniroyal, Inc.; Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.; Viacom, Inc.; Vimasco Corporation; West Virginia Electric Supply Company; Yarway Corporation; and Zurn Industries, Inc.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-1249