The estate of an Illinois woman who died from mesothelioma is seeking $300,000 in damages for negligence and willful and wanton conduct.

According to the estate, Geraldine James worked for or used the products of 45 companies who knew that the asbestos fibers contained in their items had a toxic, poisonous, and highly deleterious effect upon the health of people.  According to The Record of Madison County, "Her estate alleges that the defendants included asbestos in their products even when adequate substitutes were available and failed to provide any or adequate instructions concerning the safe methods of working with and around asbestos."

"In addition to compensatory damages, an award of punitive damages is appropriate and necessary in order to punish the defendants for willful, wanton, intentional and reckless misconduct and to deter them and others from engaging in like misconduct in the future," the complaint states.

Defendants include Bondex International, Garlock, Georgia-Pacific, John Crane, Owens-Illinois, Pneumo Abex, RPM International, RPM Inc. and Young Insulation Group.  The estate claims these companies willfully used asbestos in their products even when adequate substitutes were available and that they failed to educate workers and consumers on the dangers and proper handling methods of asbestos.