Pennsylvania Archives

Category: Pennsylvania

October 4, 2018 • Fracking, Hydraulic Fracturing, Pennsylvania

Hydraulic Fracturing Update: PA Appellate Court Permits Enforcement of $1 Million Dollar Penalty Upon Fracking Operator

Recently, a Pennsylvania Appellate Court decided to permit the enforcement of a monetary penalty levied upon a driller, totaling over $1.1 million, stemming from the delay of maintenance to leaks in a damaged liner of an impoundment used to contain wastewater from hydraulic fracturing operations. In EQT Production Company v. Department of Environmental Protection, Docket # … Continued

August 23, 2018 • Pennsylvania, PFOA, Regulations

EPA’s Slow March Towards Federal Regulation of PFAS

In May, we reported on developments involving a case in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania involving water contamination and exposure to per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS is a family of man-made chemicals that includes PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA (and many others). The chemicals are commonly found in many consumer products, including stick-proof food packaging, … Continued

August 16, 2018 • Appeal, Pennsylvania

Channeling Injunction Protects Insurer Against Industrial Hygiene Claims

The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit held that a channeling injunction entered in the Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding of W.R. Grace & Co. (Grace) protected one of its insurers, Continental Casualty Company and Transportation Insurance Company (CNA), from claims that CNA was independently liable for asbestos-related injuries because it was negligent … Continued

August 8, 2018 • Other Asbestos News, Pennsylvania

PA Supreme Court to Determine Whether Fair Share Act Applies to Asbestos Cases

On July 31, 2018, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court granted William Roverano’s petition for allowance of appeal from the Superior Court’s December 2017 ruling that the Pennsylvania Fair Share Act applied to asbestos strict liability claims. Specifically, the court accepted review of two issues: 1) Whether, under this issue of first impression, the Superior Court misinterpreted … Continued

July 24, 2018 • Case Decisions, Pennsylvania, Summary Judgment

PA Superior Court Affirms Entry of Summary Judgment for Three Friction Defendants

PENNSYLVANIA — The plaintiff, Sharon Gilbert, filed suit as the executive of the estate of her husband, Guy Gilbert, and in her own right, alleging decedent was exposed to asbestos while working as an auto mechanic at Alray Tire in Pittsburgh, PA from 1975 to 1985. The plaintiff alleged that such exposure caused decedent’s mesothelioma. … Continued

July 5, 2018 • Asbestos Litigation Analysis, Case Decisions, Pennsylvania, Remand/Removal

Removal Under Federal Enclave Jurisdiction Deemed Timely

PENNSYLVANIA — The plaintiff, Harald Mehnert, filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, alleging he suffered from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure incurred while working on Mass Spectrometers at the U.S. Geological Survey Department in Denver, Colorado, from 1959 to 1995. He filed suit on November 27, 2017 and all defendants were … Continued

June 13, 2018 • Case Decisions, Pennsylvania, Summary Judgment

Summary Judgment Affirmed in Railroad Case Upon Plaintiff’s Failure to Preserve Issue for Appeal

PENNSYLVANIA – The plaintiff, Michael Eorio filed suit against multiple defendants including CBS and General Electric (GE) alleging he contracted lung cancer while working as a railroad employee from 1972-2010. The plaintiff and one co-worker alleged Mr. Eorio had been exposed to asbestos containing products for which CBS and GE were liable. The plaintiff passed away prior … Continued

June 7, 2018 • Hydraulic Fracturing, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Sides With Gas Industry, But Allows For Potential Enforcement of Two New Rules

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently decided to preserve an injunction against the Department of Environmental Protection of Pennsylvania (DEP) that prevents the enforcement of various new rules pertaining to hydraulic fracturing operations. In the case of The Marcellus Shale Coalition v. Department of Environmental Protection, et. al., industry organization, the Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC), had … Continued

May 31, 2018 • Pennsylvania, PFOA

Bystanders Beware – No Strict Products Liability Claims for Bystanders in AFFF / PFAS Actions in Pennsylvania

Lawsuits involving water contamination have been trending over the past couple years throughout the United States. We’ve seen a shift in the plaintiff’s bar’s focus from pursuing point sources to utilizing traditional product liability theories to support allegations of contamination against manufacturer defendants when the opportunity presents itself. The blue print’s simple – pursue deep … Continued

May 24, 2018 • Maritime/Admiralty Law, Pennsylvania, Summary Judgment

Court Grants Summary Judgment to Some Pump Manufacturers, while denying it to others in Maritime Action

PENNSYLVANIA — The court issued rulings on summary judgment motions from the five remaining defendants in this lung cancer case, where the plaintiff Robert Hedrick alleged exposure to asbestos while serving in the United States Navy from 1953-1957. the plaintiff claimed that his lung cancer was caused by alleged work with asbestos products in the boiler rooms … Continued