Brewing Company Sued for Asbestos Exposure

May 11, 2006 - A woman who worked for Peoria, Illinois-based Pabst Brewing Company is suing the beer producer for alleged asbestos exposure, which she claims has caused her lung cancer. 

Katie Gamble, who worked at the plant from 1978-1982 has filed a 10-count suit against 74 defendants in the local Madison County Circuit Court, claiming that Pabst knew she was being exposed to the hazardous material yet did nothing to protect her. 

"Pabst Brewing Company, knew or should have known at least by 1930 that asbestos-containing products which it supplied and which were used extensively throughout the facility, were a health hazard to people who worked with and around them, and in the alternative, had no positive proof that prolonged exposure to asbestos was safe," the complaint states.

"Pabst Brewing Company through its silence deliberately, intentionally, wantonly engaged in false and deceptive conduct of a material nature," the complaint continues.

Gamble’s suit also alleges that Pabst used products containing asbestos when suitable, safer substitutions were available.  In addition, the lawsuit states that the company failed to train employees in safety procedures that should have applied to those working with asbestos products.  Furthermore, Gamble alleges that Pabst failed to conduct tests on the asbestos-containing products, manufactured, sold or delivered by the defendants in order to determine the hazards to which workers might be exposed.

She is suing for physical and mental anguish caused by her lung cancer, loss of wages, and loss of a normal life.  In addition, the plaintiff’s husband is suing for loss of companionship.