Florida Man Files Large Asbestos Suit

January 2, 2006 - A Florida gentleman who claims he contracted mesothelioma due to asbestos dust brought home on his wife’s clothing has filed suit against 111 defendants in a Madison County, IL court.

According to the Madison County Record, Louis Holzworth’s wife, Joan, was employed as an inspector with Amphenol Corporation from 1959 to 1985.  The suit alleges that Mrs. Holzworth would come home with asbestos dust on her clothes, which would then become airborne, exposing Mr. Holzworth to the fibers. 

Holzworth himself did not work at any jobs where he would have been exposed to asbestos.  He was employed from late 1943 to 1985 as a molder, manager, factory worker, warehouse foreman, cab driver and postal carrier at various locations.  However, the suit does claim that he was exposed to asbestos during “non-occupational work projects” including home and automotive repairs, maintenance and remodeling.

The complaint filed by Holzworth’s lawyers alleges that “the defendants failed to require and advise their employees of hygiene practices designed to reduce or prevent carrying asbestos fibers home,” resulting in Holzworth’s exposure to fibers containing asbestos.  Because of this, he developed a disease caused only by asbestos which disabled and disfigured him, states the claim.

Holzworth was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma in August 2006 and currently seeks compensatory damages in excess of $700,000, plus additional punitive damages.