Illinois – A man is suing over claims that he is living with fear of contracting malignant mesothelioma as he had been exposed to hazardous asbestos dust and particles all through his employment with a railroad company, recently filed court papers show.
Wallace Holtzclaw states that he had been working as a shop laborer, roundhouse laborer, track foreman and trackman for Norfolk Southern Railway Co from 1951 to 1991. Norfolk Southern is the only defendant in this case.
All through his employment, according to Holtzclaw, he was exposed to hazardous asbestos fibers and dust, in addition to coal dust and silica dust. As a result of this exposure, Holtzclaw claims, he contracted an asbestos-related condition. The name of the disease from which the plaintiff is suffering now has not been specified in the lawsuit.
Due to the ingestion, inhalation or absorption of asbestos fibers and other hazardous chemicals, the plaintiff suffered from great nervousness and emotional distress, the suit states. Additionally, he incurred a substantial amount in medical expenses, according to the suit. Additionally, he lost revenues and capacity to earn, the plaintiff claims. According to the suit, the plaintiff also suffered a reduced capacity to render services, affection, counseling, society and support to the family. He is suffering from a reduced life expectancy as well.
Holtzclaw is blaming Norfolk Southern is responsible for all his distress as the company: negligently failed to provide proper instructions on right and safe ways to deal with asbestos products; failed to properly test materials before allowing employees to deal with them; and negligently failed to provide the workers with quality ventilation systems.
Holtzclaw is asking for in excess of $50000 in damages, in addition to costs and all other reliefs that the court deems appropriate. A Belleville attorney is representing him in the legal fight.
Though asbestos is a restricted material at present, numerous asbestos cases are still being filed in various courts all through the U.S. as asbestos-related diseases generally appear several decades after the initial exposure to the mineral. Recently, a KY man also has filed a suit against Norfolk Southern over claims that the railroad caused him to contract mesothelioma. This suit was filed by Illinois resident Edward Reed who had worked with the railroad from 1956 to 1959. He had been working as a fireman at the company’s Williamson (WV) facility), the suit filed in the Kanawha County Circuit Court states. Reed is seeking damages in an amount exceeding the jurisdictional minimum.
