Man Claims Job Caused Him To Develop Asthma

A man has filed a personal injury suit against his former employer and the manufacturers of industrial lubricants and fluids, alleging the vaporized substances used in his job caused him to develop the disabling condition of asthma.

According to the suit filed against Steel of West Virginia, Kost USA, Houghton Canada, and Woodford Oil Company by Darrell Cline on March 23 in West Virginia’s Cabell County Circuit Court, he was employed by Steel of West Virginia from 1987 to 2007 as a machinist.

Cline says that while operating the machines, many of them used metal-working fluids to cool the machine parts and the fluids would vaporize into a mist.

According to the suit, the National Institute for Occupation Safety and Health has said that upon vaporization, these fluids create a risk of a person developing occupational asthma.

Cline was diagnosed with occupational asthma in September 2007 by a physician at Marshall University who believes the condition to be linked with his former job.

Cline claims the diagnosis caused him to leave his job, suffer lost wages, and become limited in what kind of job he is able to perform due to shortness of breath and periodic episodes of hyperactive airways.

Cline claims the defendants’ intentions were deliberate and negligent. He seeks compensatory and punitive damages.