4 refractories companies named in six asbestos suits

CHARLESTON, Nov. 10, 2010 - Six suits involving asbestos were filed in Kanawha County naming 145 companies as defendants.
Phyllis Bodo, executrix of the Estate of David Bodo, deceased; Connie Castner, executrix of the Estate of Alfred B. Castner Jr., deceased; Joyce Ann Neely, executrix of the Estate of Glen R. Neely, deceased; Ronald Owings and Rebecca Sue Owings, his wife; James R. Enoch and Kenneth J. Enoch, co-executors of the Estate of Kenneth E. Parker, deceased; and Edward G. Werkin and Andrea J. Werkin, his wife, claimed the 145 defendants are responsible for lung injuries, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma, according to six complaints filed Oct. 18 in Kanawha Circuit Court.
David Bodo was diagnosed with asbestosis; Alfred B. Castner Jr. was diagnosed with asbestosis and mesothelioma; and Edward G. Werkin, Parker, Ronald Owings and Glen R. Neely were diagnosed with asbestosis and lung cancer, according to the suits.
The plaintiffs claim the defendants failed to warn then of the dangers of the asbestos products and failed to take reasonable precautions to warn them of the dangers.
The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trials to resolve all issues involved. They are being represented by David P. Chervenick, Bruce E. Mattock, Lee W. Davis and Scott S. Segal.
The cases have been assigned to a visiting judge.
The 4 refractories defendants named in the suits are General Refractories Company, J.H. France Refractories Company, Premiere Refractories, Inc., Universal Refractories Corporation.