Four lawsuits were filed on behalf of two plaintiffs who claimed they were exposed to large amounts of asbestos and silica. One plaintiff was employed as a painter, plasterer, and sandblaster in Illinois from 1973-2003. He worked for an industrial paint service and claims that on June 1, 2005, he was diagnosed with bilateral asbestos-related pleural disease. The other plaintiff was employed as a strand helper in Illinois from 1977-2005. She was also diagnosed on June 1, 2005, but with asbestosis. They both claim they became aware of their silicosis-related disease on December 4, 2004.
They claim that during the course of their employment and during home and automotive repairs they were exposed to and inhaled, ingested, or otherwise absorbed large amounts of asbestos fibers emanating from certain products they were working with and around.
Asbestos defendants Georgia-Pacific, Kelly Moore Paint, General Electric, Union Carbide, Bondex International and Ford Motor Company. Each silicosis plaintiff names 49 defendants. Some of those defendants include American Optical Corp., Allied Minerals, Flexo Products, Lockheed Martin, and U.S. Silica Company.
In the asbestos suit, the plaintiffs are seeking damages in excess of $250,000, plus punitive damages in excess of $50,000. In the silica suits, they are seeking damages in excess of $100,000.
