Couple name 62 defendants in asbestos case

CHARLESTON – A Huntington couple are suing 62 companies they claim are responsible for a lung cancer diagnosis.

Cletis William Adkins was diagnosed with lung cancer on Sept. 10, according to a complaint filed Jan. 17 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Adkins and his wife, Lola Lee Adkins, claim the defendants exposed him to asbestos during his employment as a laborer, high lift operator and custodian from 1955 until 1994.

Cletis Adkins also smoked approximately one pack of cigarettes per day for a period of time until he retired, according to the suit.

The plaintiffs claim the defendants exposed Cletis Adkins to asbestos and/or asbestos-containing fibers during his career and failed to warn him about the dangers.

The defendants are being sued based on theories of negligence, contaminated buildings, breach of expressed/implied warranty, strict liability, intentional tort, conspiracy, misrepresentation and post-sale duty to warn, according to the suit.

The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial to resolve all issues involved. They are being represented by James A. McKowen.