Monsanto and more than a dozen other companies with current or former facilities in the Sauget region are being sued by the estate of a former tradesman alleging his exposure to toxic chemicals led to his death.
Patricia Bishop, individually and as special representative of the Estate of Larry Bishop, filed a complaint Dec. 23 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Shell Oil Company, Monsanto, Bayer Corporation, United States Steel Corporation, Turtle Wax Inc., and others alleging negligence, conspiracy and wrongful death.
According to the complaint, Larry Bishop worked as a boilermaker and installed and maintained boilers and tanks at the defendants’ various factories, plants and refineries in and around Madison County from 1971 through 2001. The plaintiff alleges that during this time period, Larry Bishop was exposed to multiple chemicals, including known carcinogens such as benzene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and trichlorethylene. She further alleges Bishop inhaled, ingested and had direct contact with these chemicals, including being given open containers of benzene to wash off his tools. The plaintiff alleges this cumulative exposure to the chemicals caused Larry Bishop to develop Myelodysplastic Snydrome.
The plaintiff alleges that throughout his working life, Larry Bishop was not warned about the hazard of exposure to the chemicals and wore no protective coverings or masks to avoid exposure to the toxic chemicals.
The plaintiff seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000 and all other just relief.
This article was first published in Madison Record.
