Clemco Industries Denies Liability for Wisconsin Sandblaster's Silicosis

MILWAUKEE - Clemco Industries Corp. has answered a Wisconsin sandblaster's January lawsuit alleging injuries from exposure to silica dust by denying liability and asserting dozens of affirmative defenses, including a sophisticate user defense. Edwards v. Clemco Industries Corp., No.. 11-123 (E.D. Wis.).

Clemco, which says it is "the world's largest manufacturer of air-powered blast equipment," filed its answer on April 4 in response to the lawsuit filed by Bruce Edwards on Jan. 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Edwards maintains he was unaware that working around silica dust created by products or equipment he …