State

Category: State

February 23, 2015 • Asbestos Case Tracker, Case Decisions, Washington

Superseding Cause, Strict Liability, and Government Contractor Defense Analyzed in Motion for Summary Judgment

The plaintiff in this Washington federal court case alleged that the decedent, John McCrossin, was exposed to asbestos from a variety of products, including boilers, while serving in the Navy. Defendant Fraser’s, which maintained that it only assembled boilers, moved for summary judgment raising superseding cause, strict liability, and government contractor arguments. The court found … Continued

February 19, 2015 • Asbestos Case Tracker, Case Decisions, Connecticut, Maritime/Admiralty Law

Dismissal of Asbestos Claims for Lack of Causation Under Connecticut and Maritime Law

In this case, the plaintiff presented an affidavit of decedent attesting to asbestos exposure, a death certificate confirming the mesothelioma, and co-worker depositions showing that the decedent was generally exposed to asbestos at the Groton Connecticut shipyard while overhauling nuclear submarines. Several defendants moved for summary judgment on the ground that while the plaintiff established … Continued

February 11, 2015 • Asbestos Case Tracker, Case Decisions, Expert Challenges, Louisiana

Industrial Hygienist William Dyson’s Dose Reconstruction Methodology for Assessing Levels of Asbestos Exposure Found Scientifically Reliable Under Daubert

The plaintiff in this Louisiana federal court case alleged that decedent pipefitter was exposed to asbestos while at various locations during his career, including a one-to-two-week period at Union Carbide. Union Carbide offered the expert testimony of industrial hygienist Dr. William Dyson to perform a dose reconstruction assessment of the decedent’s level of asbestos exposure … Continued

February 10, 2015 • Asbestos Case Tracker, California, Case Decisions, Texas, Verdict Reduction

California Applies Higher Texas Standard on Causation and Dismisses Asbestos Case

In this California state case, the plaintiff, a Texas resident, claimed asbestos exposure in both California and Texas, although the particular claimed exposure against certain defendants was in Texas. These defendants moved for summary judgment, claiming that under Texas law, the plaintiff was unable to meet the legal standard of causation. Both the lower and appellate … Continued

February 10, 2015 • Asbestos Case Tracker, Case Decisions, Statute of Repose, Verdict Reduction, Wisconsin

Court Avoids Statute of Repose While Dismissing Plaintiff’s Claims on Lack of Causation

Plaintiff Todd Alexander commenced a wrongful death action claiming decedent Richard Alexander was exposed to asbestos in connection with his sheet metal, heating, and plumbing business. Defendants Auer and Milwaukee Stove moved for summary judgment under Wisconsin’s Statute of Repose and, in the alternative, along with defendant CertainTeed, on lack of causation. The lower court … Continued

February 10, 2015 • Asbestos Case Tracker, Case Decisions, New York, Verdict Reduction

$190 Million Verdict Reduced to Under $30 Million

Following the highly publicized $190 million verdict in NYCAL in five consolidated asbestos cases, the defendants were successful in reducing the collective award to just under $30 million on a post-trial motion. While the trial court rejected the defendants’ arguments on certain evidentiary issues, causation, apportionment, consolidation, and recklessness, it recognized that the verdicts materially … Continued

February 3, 2015 • Asbestos Case Tracker, Case Decisions, Wisconsin

Mesothelioma Claim Barred Based on Issue Preclusion

In this MDL asbestos case, plaintiff brought an action claiming he had asbestosis. CBS and General Electric moved for summary judgment in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, which motion was unopposed. At the time the motion was brought, plaintiff had been diagnosed with mesothelioma but such claim had not yet been added to the lawsuit … Continued

February 2, 2015 • Asbestos Case Tracker, Case Decisions, Damages, Utah

Wrongful Death Damages Limited, Riggs v. Georgia-Pacific, LLC

The Supreme Court of Utah ruled that a recovery by an asbestos plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit does not bar a subsequent wrongful death claim brought by his heirs, but there cannot be any double recovery. The plaintiff, who had peritoneal mesothelioma, went to trial against Georgia-Pacific and Union Carbide and was awarded a … Continued