Woman Sues 65 Companies over Asbestos-related Lung Cancer

A woman is suing 65 defendant corporations in an asbestos-related case.

Betty Ruth Rhodes has filed a lawsuit against the companies on January 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court. The suit does not specify where Rhodes resides.

According to the complaint, the companies caused Rhodes to develop lung cancer by exposing her to asbestos-containing products throughout her career.

Rhodes worked as a laborer from 1958 until 1990 at Borg Warner in Illinois, at Speedway Manufacturing in Illinois and at Rhodes Camper Sale, the suit states.

Rhodes says she was also secondarily exposed to asbestos fibers through the work clothes of her father and husband. Her father worked as a laborer at International Harvester in Illinois and her husband worked as a millwright from 1956 until 1970 at Reynolds Metal Company, as a millwright at ITT from 1970 until 1972 and as a millwright at Alcoa from 1972 until 1992, the complaint states.

As a result of her asbestos-related illness, Rhodes became disabled and disfigured, incurred medical expenses and suffered immense physical pain and mental anguish, according to the lawsuit. Additionally, she lost large amounts of money that would have accrued to her, the plaintiff argues.

The nine-count lawsuit is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, compensatory damages of more than $100,000, economic damages of more than $150,000 and punitive and exemplary damages of more than $150,000, plus other relief to which she might be entitled.

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