Iowa Archives - Asbestos Case Tracker

May 9, 2024 Iowa / Summary Judgment

Grant of Summary Judgment to Aluminum Plant Owner Reversed

Jurisdiction: Court of Appeals of Iowa

We previously reported on this matter involving the decedent, Charles Beverage, who was employed as an independent contractor at an aluminum plant between the 1950s and the mid-1970s. Following his death in October 2015, the decedent’s estate filed a products liability suit against several defendants, including Alcoa Inc., the aluminum plant’s owner, and Iowa-Illinois Taylor Insulation Inc., an installer of insulation, alleging that the decedent was exposed to asbestos during his employment and subsequently contracted mesothelioma.

At that time, …

September 1, 2022 Iowa / Summary Judgment

Posted by: Asbestos Case Tracker

Grant of Summary Judgment Reversed as to Friction Product Manufacturers/Sellers

Court of Appeals of Iowa, August 31, 2022  

Plaintiffs Mary and Paul Fankhauser filed a lawsuit against multiple defendants, including Honeywell International Inc. and Pneumo Abex LLC, alleging that Paul’s mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos-containing products while employed by the Iowa Department of Transportation between 1968 and 2006.  

Honeywell sold asbestos-containing brake linings and brake blocks. Abex manufactured and sold asbestos-containing friction materials and clutch facings.

Honeywell and Abex filed motions for summary judgment, claiming that Iowa Code section 686B.7(5) “limits …