Ardoin
Pourciau
A Jefferson Parish woman has filed a lawsuit against her husband's former employer, claiming she was exposed to asbestos on his work clothes for decades.
Thelma Pigford filed suit against Eagle, Reilly-Benton Co., Taylor-Seidenbach and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. June 14 in Orleans Parish District Court.
Pigford says her husband worked as an insulator and paint supervisor at Avondale Shipyards from 1966 to 2006 and wore his work clothes home, exposing her to asbestos fibers on a regular basis. She says the asbestos would get embedded in her husband's clothes, causing Pigford to be exposed to asbestos fibers through inhalation or ingestion.
Pigford accuses the defendants of being strictly liable for "allowing the dangerous asbestos fibers to escape from their custody, control and guard."
The lawsuit also argues "these defendants are strictly liable for selling defective products and holding themselves out as manufacturers in that they would alter products, repackage products and hold the products out as their own. Additionally, these defendants were negligent in that they failed to warn employees of the hazards of asbestos and they failed to take steps to make themselves aware of the hazards of asbestos."
The plaintiff is seeking damages for physical pain and suffering, mental pain and anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses plus interest and court costs.
Pigford is represented by Kenner attorneys Julie Ardoin and Damon Pourciau of Ardoin Law Firm.
Judge Robin M. Giarrusso is assigned to the case.
Case No. 10-5990