Jesse Frederick Cruz, a former laborer for Todd Shipyards Corp who was allegedly exposed to asbestos, is having a lawsuit filed against 22 defendant companies by Mary Ann Sparkman, a relative.
The original petition states that “while performing his normal duties, Jesse Cruz came into contact with the asbestos products manufactured, sold, designed, supplied, distributed, mined, milled, relabeled, resold, processed, applies, or installed by the asbestos defendants, which caused severe, permanent disabling and injuries to Cruz and the plaintiff.”
Ms. Sparkman claims that Cruz was never told of the hazards of working with asbestos, and his employers never explained how asbestos in the products he was working with could be dangerous.
The large number of defendant companies is due in part to Sparkman’s belief that the companies were working “in cahoots” with each other.” The actions of all defendants aided, abetted, encouraged, induced, or directed the negligent and/or intentional acts of each and every other defendant,” the suit says.