John Verret had a habit of smoking cigarettes for almost 45 years. He died after developing lung cancer.
Julie, Verret’s daughter, is now suing the long-time employer of her father – Texaco Inc. She has filed a lawsuit in the Jefferson County Dist. Court, alleging that the company exposed her father negligently to dangerous asbesots fibers and thus caused him to contract lung cancer.
Though smoking alone can cause lung cancer, studies have found that the chance of developing cancer increases substantially when smoking couple with asbestos exposure.
According to the suit, Verret had been working at the Port Arthur facility of Texaco from 1968 until 1992 as an operator and bricklayer. During the course of his employment, Verret was exposed to high levels of asbestos fibers and dust, the complaint says.
Because of his occupational asbestos exposure, Verret developed lung cancer which ultimately took his life, the suit states. The lawsuit contains a medical report signed by Massachusetts General Hospital’s Dr. Richard Kradin, which states Verret had been a heavy smoker who used 45 packets of cigarettes each year.
The plaintiff claims that Texaco was negligent in exposing Verret to a hazardous substance such as asbestos and, therefore, is responsible for his lung cancer diagnosis.
Julie is asking for damages for her father’s alleged wrongful death. A Houston (Texas)-based law firm is representing her in this case.
Hon. Bob Wortham, the judge of the 58th Dist. Court, will preside over the case.
In another issue, Texas resident Ann Skelton has filed a suit against E.I. DuPont De Nemours over allegations that the company negligently exposed her deceased husband Mr. Robert Skelton to toxic asbestos all through his employment.
Skelton filed her complaint in February in the Jefferson County Dist. Court.
The complaint states that Robert had been a DuPont employee who worked for the company’s Beaumont facility. While working there, Robert was heavily exposed to a number of asbestos products, the plaintiff alleges.
According to the suit, Robert developed lung cancer because of his job-related asbestos exposure and died a terrible and painful death. The dates of his employment are not specified in the lawsuit.
The defendant allegedly used dangerous benzene products as well, but never warned workers including Robert regarding the hazards of exposure to the chemical and failed to provide them with sufficient safety equipment. Benzene also is a known human carcinogen.
The defendant allegedly acted with malice. In her lawsuit, Ann Skelton is asking for exemplary damages. A Beaumont (Texas) lawyer will represent Ann in her legal battle. Judge Hon. Gary Sanderson will be presiding over this case.
