Buena Park Family Files Suit Over Alleged Exposure to PCBs

A Buena Park family of four filed suit Tuesday against a San Pedro shipyard and others for injuries they claim they suffered from exposure to a toxic chemical mixed with oil in electrical transformers.

Eddie L. Davison, 31, a longshoreman at Todd Pacific Shipyards Corp. who helped dismantle and discard the transformers, claims that he has been disabled since early last March because of his exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a toxic substance used in transformer oil to lessen wear and tear on machinery.

The suit alleges that he has suffered “chest pains, leg and arm pain, nausea, nervousness, loss of sleep, loss of consortium, inability to digest food, skin rashes and lesions, loss of weight, general lethargy and overall tiredness” from inhaling fumes and handling the oily parts of the transformers.

His wife, Laurie, 31, and their two sons, Jessie L., 8, and Eddie Vern, 12, also claim similar injuries from exposure to and physical contact with Davison and his clothes.

“There is some indication (Davison) might very well have carcinoma, so we’re watching him very closely,” said his attorney, Harland L. Burge Jr., of Huntington Beach.

The suit does not specify the amount of money sought, but Burge ventured that damages “could be in the millions.”

Named as defendants are Davison’s employer, Todd Pacific Shipyards Corp.; Monsanto Chemical, manufacturer of the PCBs; and General Electric and Westinghouse, producers of the transformers and related equipment.

Although Davison cannot sue his employer directly, the rest of his family can, Burge said. Todd Pacific is contesting Davison’s worker’s compensation claim. A hearing is scheduled for May 13 to determine if he is disabled, what caused it, whether it is permanent and what chance there is for rehabilitation, Burge said.