Real-Time Court Decisions and Other Developments in Asbestos Litigation.
Several states over the past year have eliminated limitations that have been part of Wrongful Death Acts. In Maine, the Legislature enacted “An Act to Amend the Laws Governing Damages Awarded for Wrongful Death.” As a result, the cap for wrongful death, non-economic damages — loss of comfort, society, and companionship — was increased from …
Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division Plaintiffs Chloyde Pelton and Shirley Pelton sued Defendant John Crane Inc. for negligence, willful and wanton conduct, and strict liability, alleging that Pelton developed mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to asbestos-containing products, including gaskets and packing, in the United States …
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Defendant Hopeman Brothers Inc. moved for partial summary judgment with respect to plaintiffs’ claims of intentional tort, alter ego, and manufacturer strict liability. In order to satisfy their intentional tort claim, plaintiffs must demonstrate that Hopeman “either consciously desired that plaintiff contract mesothelioma or …
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana In the case of Matherne v. Huntington Ingalls Inc., plaintiffs moved for partial summary judgment regarding the Avondale Interests’ government contractor defense. Plaintiff decedent Roseanna Matherne was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which she alleged resulted from secondhand exposure to asbestos via her husband’s work clothes that …
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois In Leopold v. Air, plaintiff Debra Leopold filed an asbestos action in the Circuit Court for the Third Judicial Circuit, Madison County, Illinois. Defendant Goulds Pumps, LLC removed the case to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois pursuant to the provisions of …
Court: Supreme Court of New York, New York County In this asbestos action, decedent Giacinto Pira alleged he was exposed to asbestos from gloves manufactured by defendant Steel Grip. Steel Grip moved for summary judgment, arguing that plaintiff did not establish exposure to asbestos or causation from Steel Grip gloves. In support, Steel Grip proffered an …
Jurisdiction: Supreme Court of New York, New York County Plaintiff filed this lawsuit alleging decedent suffered asbestos exposure from numerous product manufacturers during the course of his employment as a mechanic for Con Ed from 1974 to 2012. Prior to his passing, decedent was deposed. Defendant Crosby Valves filed a motion for summary judgment on …
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana In this asbestos action, Vanessa Matherne Richardson filed suit alleging that her mother passed away from mesothelioma, which was contracted through exposure to asbestos brought home by her father, plaintiff Ted Matherne Sr., while employed at the Avondale Shipyards from 1965 to 1983. In March 2022, …
Court: Supreme Court of New York, New York County (NYCAL) In this asbestos action, defendants L3Harris Technologies Inc. and Heidelberg USA Inc. moved separately for summary judgment, arguing that plaintiff Raymond Desiena did not establish exposure to asbestos from his work on Harris or Heidelberg-branded printing presses during his work as a printing press operator …
Court: Supreme Court of New York, New York County (NYCAL) In this asbestos action, defendant Crosby Valve LLC moved to dismiss the action on the grounds that plaintiff John B. Daly Jr. was not exposed to asbestos from any Crosby product. Specifically, Crosby’s motion was based on Daly’s testimony that he was exposed to asbestos …