TAMPA — A woman has filed a lawsuit against Seminole Electric after her mother died from mesothelioma allegedly caused by asbestos exposure.
On May 6, Shirley A. Carpin, surviving adult child and beneficiary to the estate of Shirley A. Hilster, brought a complaint against Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc. for negligence, strict liability, concealment, loss of consortium and damages on behalf of deceased's survivors as statutory beneficiaries.
According to the complaint, descendent Shirley A. Hilster died of mesothelioma on Oct. 11, 2020, as a direct result of alleged exposure to asbestos dust and fibers brought home from the decedent's spouse's work clothing. Decedent's spouse worked as a maintenance supervisor at the Seminole Generating Station in Palatka, where he was directly "exposed to asbestos and Asbestos Products that were mined, processed, supplied and manufactured," causing second-hand exposure to Shirley A. Hilster and her later diagnosis of mesothelioma, the suit says.
Carpin and surviving beneficiaries are seeking compensatory damages for medical care, nursing care, mental pain, grief, loss of wages and funeral cost. They are represented by Benjamin D. Braly of Dean Omar Branham, LLP.