Lung cancer diagnosis spurs asbestos claim

A Florida man who says his recent lung cancer diagnosis can be traced to asbestos fibers inhaled while working for the now-defunct Bethlehem Steel Corp. has filed a mass tort civil claim in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Attorneys George A. Weber, III and John E. Kotsatos, of the Law Offices of Peter G. Angelos, P.C., filed the personal injury claim May 17 on behalf of Paul J. Stauffer, Jr. and his wife, Althea M. Stauffer.

The complaint, which names a total of 51 co-defendants, alleges that Paul Stauffer’s Jan. 14, 2011 lung cancer diagnosis can be traced to his two-plus decade career working with asbestos during his employment as a steelworker for Bethlehem Steel from 1964 to 1986.

The suit says Stauffer’s exposure to asbestos fibers came about while working in pipe covering, insulation, sheet material, gaskets, cement, rope, cranes, crane brakes, crane components, block, compound, hot tops, boilers and spray.

“The air Plaintiff breathed was contaminated with asbestos dust and fibers shed by asbestos products sold, manufactured or distributed by the defendant corporations and each of them during the period 1964 to 1986 while Plaintiff was employed by Bethlehem Steel in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,” the suit states.

While the suit says a claim for lost wages is not sought at this time, the plaintiff’s are demanding a judgment against the defendants named in the suit in an amount in excess of $50,000 for compensatory damages and in excess of $50,000 for punitive damages, plus court costs and attorneys’ fees.

The lawsuit also contains a count of conspiracy against defendant Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., for concealing information and not making workers aware of the health hazards posed by exposure to asbestos dust and fibers.

Defendants in the lawsuit include Harrisburg, Pa.-based companies Allied Signal, Inc., A.W. Chesterton Co. and Air and Liquid Systems Corp.

The plaintiff additionally demands a judgment against Metropolitan Life Insurance in an amount in excess of $50,000 for compensatory damages and $50,000 for punitive damages, plus court costs and attorneys’ fees.

The plaintiff has demanded a jury trial.

The case number is 110501863.