California Woman Files Meso Suit in Illinois

August 29, 2006 - The wife of a long-time mechanic and truck driver has filed a lawsuit in Madison County, Illinois, noting that one of the corporation’s she’s suing – John Crane – is an Illinois company and operates in that county.

Ripsime Darbinian claims that exposure to airborne asbestos fibers from family members' clothing caused her to develop mesothelioma.  She filed suit against not only John Crane Corporation but also Bondex International, Garlock Incorporated, Georgia-Pacific, Owens-Illinois, RPM International and Young Insulation Group.

Darbinian says that her husband Toros was employed as a truck driver, technician and repairman at various locations and would on many occasions work with and around asbestos and asbestos-containing products.

"Dust created by working with and around asbestos and asbestos-containing products would permeate the person and clothing of the plaintiff's spouse," the complaint states. "This dust contained asbestos fiber."

An article in the Madison County Record states that Mrs. Darbinian was diagnosed with mesothelioma in August 2005 and has alleged that the defendants “failed to require and advise employees of hygiene practices designed to reduce or prevent carrying asbestos fibers home.”

Attorneys for Darbinian also claim that they’ve been unable to obtain full disclosure of relevant documents, leading them to believe that the defendants have destroyed documents pertaining to asbestos and employee asbestos exposure. 

The plaintiff seeks both compensatory and punitive damages of an undisclosed amount.