Real-Time Court Decisions and Other Developments in Asbestos Litigation.
Court: Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles In this action, defendant Vanderbilt Materials LLC moved for summary judgment of the plaintiffs’ claim that plaintiff Roberto Gonzalez was exposed to asbestos in the defendant’s talc. Ultimately, the court denied the motion. Under California law, “[a] defendant seeking summary judgment must conclusively negate a necessary …
Jurisdiction: Supreme Court of New York, New York County; October 5, 2023 Plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging her asbestos-related disease was caused by her use of talcum powder products manufactured by, among others, Chanel. In the motion, Chanel moved to dismiss plaintiff’s punitive damages claim on the basis that Chanel did not exhibit the “level of …
Court: Supreme Court of New York, New York County In this asbestos action, defendant Crosby moved for summary judgment on duty to warn and causation grounds. Plaintiff Joseph Deroy opposed the motion. Ultimately, the court denied the motion. The court first noted that “summary judgment is a drastic remedy and should only be granted if the …
Court: Supreme Court of New York, New York County In this asbestos action, defendant Western Auto moved to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction and for summary judgment. Plaintiff Winfield Frederick opposed both motions. Ultimately, the court denied both motions. With regard to the motion for personal jurisdiction, the court set forth that the defendant …
Court: Supreme Court of New York, New York County In this asbestos action, defendant Goodyear moved for summary judgment, arguing that asbestos exposure from its sheet gaskets could not have caused plaintiff Robert Waldon’s lung cancer. In support, Goodyear submitted the expert reports of CIH John Spencer and Dr. Robert Sussman. In opposition, plaintiff submitted …
Court: Supreme Court of New York, New York County Defendant Burnham LLC filed motions for partial summary judgment with respect to punitive damages in two actions, DeRoy and Giuliano, on the basis that (1) asbestos exposure from Burnham boilers would fall below TLV or PEL/OSHA limits, and (2) Burnham’s lack of workers’ compensation claims for …
Court: Supreme Court of New York, New York County Defendant Perkins Engines Inc. filed motions for summary judgment in two actions, Frederick and Nankervis. In Frederick, Perkins filed its motion based upon a lack of product identification and causation. In support of the product identification claim, Perkins relies upon the expert report of Certified Industrial …
Supreme Court of New York, New York County In three asbestos actions (Learmond, Nale, and Torio), a caulk defendant moved for summary judgment, arguing that the respective plaintiffs’ claims regarding the asbestos content of the caulk and that the plaintiffs failed to meet the causation standard. In opposition, plaintiffs contend that the defendant failed to …
Supreme Court of New York, New York County In two asbestos actions (Avakian and Layton), defendant Mannington Mills moved to renew its summary judgment motion. Mannington contends that there was a subsequent change in the law that necessitates reversal of the court’s previous denial of two summary judgment motions. Mannington argues that the plaintiff’s expert …
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana In ACT’s continuing coverage of the Robichaux mesothelioma matter pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, reported most recently here, before the court were two motions for summary judgment: one filed by defendant Uniroyal Holdings Incorporated and another …