Wooden judge gavel, close-up view.

New York Holds its Position as a “Judicial Hellhole” in 2024

Perhaps unsurprisingly, New York City — and New York City Asbestos Litigation or NYCAL — continues to hold its position as a judicial hellhole in 2024.

However, New York City was once ranked second; it is now ranked third, so perhaps this can be considered an improvement. The 2023-2024 Judicial Hellholes report is intended to shine a spotlight on nine jurisdictions that have earned reputations as Judicial Hellholes for various reasons.

As of July 2023, asbestos litigation filings increased more than 30 percent year over …

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Courtroom, Gavel And Law Books

Motion for Partial Summary Judgment of Regulator Manufacturer Denied

Court: Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (NYCAL)

Plaintiff John B. Daly, Jr. worked as a mechanic for Consolidated Edison Company from 1976 to 2012. He alleged exposure to asbestos-containing gaskets affiliated with regulators manufactured by Fisher Controls International LLC during this period.

Fisher filed a motion for partial summary judgment, denying liability as they did not manufacture, sell, supply or otherwise recommend the use of asbestos-containing gaskets. In support of their motion, Fisher cited the New York Court of …

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Judge chamber with gavel

Fifth Circuit Affirms District Court Decisions Excluding Appellants’ Experts Reports and Granting Summary Judgment

Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Plaintiff Harry Marsh worked as a merchant mariner from 1944 to 1992. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2018 and subsequently sued the owner of every vessel he worked on over his lengthy career. Defendants included appellees Chas Kurz & Co. Inc., Chiquita Brands International Inc., Farrell Lines, individually and as successor in interest to American Export Lines Inc., and National Bulk Carriers, Inc. (“appellees”). 

Plaintiff brought his action under the Jones Act and claimed the asbestos …

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The law concept background.

Plaintiff’s Motion for Joint Trial Denied

Court: Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (NYCAL)

This asbestos matter involves a motion filed by plaintiff to consolidate two asbestos actions.

In New York, “when actions involving a common question of law or fact are pending before a court, the court, upon motion . . .  may order the actions consolidated.” CPLR §602(a) A joint trial should be denied, however, where individual issues predominate over common issues and where the party opposing the joint trial demonstrates substantial prejudice.

Joinder …

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Courtroom, Gavel And Law Books

Denial of Dryer Felt Manufacturer’s Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict Affirmed

Court: Supreme Court of South Carolina

In this mesothelioma matter, the Supreme Court of South Carolina granted a writ of certiorari to review decisions of the South Carolina Court of Appeals affirming (1) the trial court’s denial of Scapa Waycross Inc.’s motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict based on the insufficiency of the evidence as to causation, (2) the trial court’s order granting a new trial nisi additur, and (3) the trial court’s denial of Scapa’s motion to reallocate pretrial settlement proceeds.

The court determined …

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judge's gavel and books

Texas Appellate Court Reverses Summary Judgment in Take-Home Exposure Case

Court: Court of Appeals of Texas, Fourteenth District, Houston

In this asbestos action, a Texas Appellate Court reversed and remanded the grant of a no-evidence summary judgment motion as to defendant Howmet Aerospace Inc., f/k/a Arconic, Inc., f/k/a Alcoa, Inc. (“Alcoa”).

The surviving husband and children of decedent Carolyn Burford asserted wrongful death and survival claims against the husband’s former employer, Alcoa, alleging decedent suffered injuries and death as a result of asbestosis caused by her inhalation of asbestos fibers that her husband brought home …

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The law concept background.

First Department Affirms Jury Verdict against Valve Manufacturer

Court: Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, First Department

In this asbestos action, defendant Jenkins Bros. sought a judgment notwithstanding the verdict, a new trial, or remittitur of a verdict awarding plaintiff $13 million for past pain and suffering and $10 million for future pain and suffering. The trial court declined to vacate the jury’s findings that valve-related gaskets and insulation manufactured by Jenkins Bros. caused plaintiff’s mesothelioma. Jenkins Bros. appealed to the First Department.

The First Department ultimately determined that plaintiff met his …

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Motion for Summary Judgment Denied under Sophisticated User and Purchaser Doctrine

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

In this asbestos action, plaintiff Ted Matherne Sr. worked at the Avondale Shipyards. In addition, defendant Hopeman Brothers Inc. placed Micarta from Westinghouse “as a component part of the composite wall and bulkhead panels it suppled to Avondale for use aboard ships.”

Defendant Paramount Global (Westinghouse) moved for partial summary judgment, arguing it had no duty to warn as defendant Hopeman was a sophisticated user and purchaser of Micarta. Westinghouse contends Hopeman was aware …

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Wooden judge gavel, close-up view.

Motion for Summary Judgment of Valve Manufacturer Denied

Court: Supreme Court of New York, New York County

Plaintiff-Decedent John Gonder alleged exposure to asbestos during his employment as a Con Edison inspector between the 1970s and 1990s. He died in May 2021 at 86 years old from lung cancer. Defendant Jenkins Bros. filed a motion for summary judgment on the basis that Gonder did not identify Jenkins as a manufacturer of asbestos-containing valves to which he alleged exposure. Jenkins also challenged the sufficiency of the plaintiff’s expert reports with respect to causation.

In …

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judge's gavel and books

Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment Based on Workers’ Compensation Defense Denied

Jurisdiction: Supreme Court of New York, New York County

Defendant Morse Diesel Inc. filed a motion for summary judgment on the basis that plaintiff Matthew D’Alessio’s claims were barred by New York State Worker’s Compensation Law. In support of its motion, Morse Diesel pointed to D’Alessio’s deposition testimony in which he claimed to be an employee of Morse Diesel at a jobsite near Brooklyn Law School. In further support, Morse Diesel provided an affidavit from its corporate representative stating that they carry workers’ compensation insurance.…

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