Sutton couple names 67 defendants in asbestos case

CHARLESTON – A Sutton couple is suing 67 companies they claim are responsible for a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Camden David Hudkins performed automotive mechanic work while working for Cantrell Motors Ford in Weirton and performed residential construction work while employed at Yeonas Development Company in Fairfax, Va., according to a complaint filed Nov. 14 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Hudkins claims he also worked as a laborer/helper at Weirton Steel Mill and performed maintenance and repair work on trucks and equipment for Hudkins’ Timber in Sutton.

Due to asbestos exposure, Hudkins was diagnosed with asbestos-related mesothelioma, according to the suit.

Hudkins claims while employed in his various occupations, he was exposed to and did inhale asbestos dust and other dust from products of the defendants, which caused his mesothelioma.

The defendants failed to warn Hudkins of the dangers of asbestos when they knew or should have known that exposure would cause disease and injury, according to the suit, and the defendants failed to exercise reasonable care to warn him of the dangers of being exposed to the products.

Hudkins claims the defendant also failed to inform him of what would be safe and sufficient apparel for a person who was exposed to or used asbestos products and failed to inform him of what would be safe, sufficient and proper protective equipment and appliances when using or being exposed to asbestos-containing products.

As a direction and proximate result of the defendants’ negligence, Hudkins suffered and will continue to suffer damages for medical treatment, drugs and other unknown remedial medical measures; great pain of the body and mind; embarrassment and inconvenience; loss of earning capacity; loss of enjoyment of life; and shortening of his life expectancy, according to the suit.

Hudkins and his wife, Loretta Sharon Hudkins, are seeking a jury trial to resolve all issues involved. They are being represented by David P. Chervenick, Bruce E. Mattock, Leif J. Ocheltree and Scott S. Segal.

The case has been assigned to a visiting judge.

The 67 companies named as defendants in the suit are A.O. Smith Corporation; Agco Corporation; Ajax Magnethermic Corp.; Allied Glove Corp.; American Optical Corporation; Aurora Pump Co.; Beazer East, Inc.; Borg-Warner Morse Tec, Inc.; Cameron International Corporation; CBS Corporation; Cleaver-Brooks, Inc.; Copes Vulcan, Inc.; Crown Cork & Seal Company, Inc.; Dana Companies, LLC; Deere & Company; Dravo Corp.; Eichleay Corp.; F.B. Wright Co.; Fairmont Supply Company; Federal-Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust; FMC Corporation; Ford Motor Company; Foseco, Inc.; the Gage Company; Gardner Denver, Inc.; General Refractories Company; Georgia-Pacific, LLC; Goulds Pumps, Inc.; Grinnell, LLC; Hinchliffe & Keener, Inc.; Honeywell International, Inc.; IMO Industries, Inc.; Industrial Holdings Corporation; Ingersoll Rand Company; Insul Company, Inc.; ITT Corporation; I.U. North America, Inc.; M.S. Jacobs & Associates, Inc.; Mallinckrodt, LLC; McCarls, Inc.; McJunkin Redman Corp.; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company; Mine Safety Appliances Company; Minnotte Contracting Corp.; Navistar, Inc.; Oglebay Norton Company; Pfizer, Inc.; Power Piping Co.; Premier Refractories, Inc.; Reading Crane; Riley Power, Inc.; RT Vanderbilt Company, Inc.; Rust Engineering & Construction, Inc.; Safety First Industries, Inc.; the Sager Corp.; Spirax Sarco, Inc.; Sterling Fluid Systems (USA), LLC; Taco, Inc.; Tasco Insulation, Inc.; Trane US, Inc.; Union Carbide Corporation; Vimasco Corporation; Warren Pumps, LLC; Washington Group International; the William Powell Company; Yarway Corporation; and Zurn Industries, LLC.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 12-C-2268