Widow Sues Illinois Central Railroad in Asbestos Case
The widowed wife of a recently deceased man is suing Illinois Central Railroad Company for allegedly exposing her husband to toxic fibers and thus causing him to develop lung cancer.
Katherine Jackson has filed a lawsuit against the railroad company on April 19 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
According to the complaint, her husband Claudy Jackson worked as a fireman for Illinois Central Railroad from 1948 until 1951. During his career, Mr. Jackson was exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust, environmental tobacco smoke, silica, welding fumes, toxic dusts, gases and other fumes, the lawsuit states.
Claudy Jackson developed lung cancer as a result of his exposure and suffered immense pain, disability, mental anguish and nervousness. He also incurred medical expenses, the complaint says.
Claudy Jackson died of asbestos-related lung cancer on April 26, 2008, according to the lawsuit.
Katherine Jackson argues she and her four grown children lost Claudy Jackson’s financial support.
The plaintiff blames the railroad company for causing her husband injuries. She says the defendant negligently failed to provide Claudy Jackson with a safe place to work and with safe equipment, exposed him to cancer-causing substances including asbestos, and failed to warn him of the hazards of asbestos exposure.
In her four-count complaint, the plaintiff is seeking a judgment in excess of $200,000, in addition to costs.
