wrongful death suit of a painter who died of Lou Gehrig's disease

LOS ANGELES (AP) - The family of a painter who died of Lou Gehrig's disease filed a wrongful death suit against several firms claiming work-related exposure to toxic chemicals killed him.

The Superior Court suit filed Wednesday by Christine Dehoyos and her three children alleged negligence led to the August 2004 death of her husband Gilberto Dehoyos from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, causes progressive weakness of muscles in the body, including those in the respiratory system.

Defendants included Smiland Paint Co., which manufactured and supplied semi-gloss industrial enamel to companies where Dehoyos worked.

Dehoyos worked as a painter from 1990 to 2003 for different companies, including Romano's Painting and Paperhanging Inc. of Hayward, the suit said.

During that time, he was exposed to "paints, thinners, paint removers, solvents and other chemical products," the lawsuit said.

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