Survivors of Gravestone Maker Sue Mine Safety Appliances and Others for his Death From Silicosis

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The widow and children of an Arkansas cemetery monument worker have sued Mine Safety Appliances and other respirator manufacturers for allegedly failing to protect the decedent from exposure to silica dust that led to his death.

Vickie Bell and her children, Phillip and Jonathan Bell, filed the lawsuit Oct. 17 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas against MSA, Ruemelin Manufacturing Company Inc., Pulmosan Safety Equipment Corp., Clemco Industries and John Does 1-7.

The plaintiffs say that Phillip Bell Sr. was exposed to silica and silica dust while employed as a sandblasting supervisor …