Barnes alleges he contracted the lung disease silicosis after working in 1972-74 as a sandblaster with Odom Tank Co. In 1984 one of his lungs was removed, though it was not determined that his illness was due to silicosis until 1995. He filed suit, alleging that the defendant's supplied sand-blasting products that caused his disease. Defendants asked the judge to dismiss the case on grounds that Barnes had exceeded the 12-year maximum period in which to file suit. The trial judge agreed, but the First District reversed.