Father’s former employer, tobacco company named by woman in asbestos suit

NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans woman who contracted cancer as a result secondary and direct asbestos exposure has filed suit against multiple companies.

Rosemary Rodosta filed suit against Lorillard Tobacco Company, Hollingsworth and Vose Company Inc., Eagle Inc., One Beacon American Insurance Company, McCarty Corporation, Reilly Benton Company Inc., Falstaff Brewing Corporation, Taylor-Seidenbach Inc. and their insurers in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Aug. 6.

The plaintiff has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, which she claims is a result of asbestos exposure, both household exposure from when she was child living in her parents' residence in Louisiana, and from direct exposure as a result of smoking Kent Cigarettes from 1947 to 1967.

The plaintiff claims that when she was a child living with her parents, her father worked at Falstaff Brewery, where he was frequently exposed to asbestos, and would come home covered in asbestos dust, which would “emanate from his person.”

The plaintiff’s direct exposure to asbestos came later, as a result of smoking Kent Cigarettes from 1947 to 1967. The suit claims that the micronite filters of these cigarettes contained crocidolite or blue asbestos during, at least, the period of March 1952 through May 1956.

The defendants are accused of intentional misconduct, fraud, and concealment or conspiracy to defraud or conceal the dangers of asbestos-containing products.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical costs, lost earnings, mental sufferings and reduced quality of life.

The plaintiff is represented by Scott R. Bickford of Martzell & Bickford A.P.C.

The case has been assigned to Division N. Judge Ethel S. Julien.

Case no. 2013-07375.