Summary Judgment Archives - Asbestos Case Tracker

May 22, 2020 North Carolina / Summary Judgment

No Actionable Asbestos Exposure Attributed to Electrical and Contractor Defendants

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, May 21, 2020

Plaintiffs Larry and Anne Woolard filed the instant lawsuit against 14 separate defendants, alleging that exposure to their asbestos-containing products and equipment while Mr. Woolard worked as an HVAC apprentice, mechanic, and supervisor at Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill caused him to develop mesothelioma. After the close of discovery, four defendants filed for Summary Judgment: Fisher Controls International, LLC; Schneider Electric Systems, USA, Inc.; Chicago Bridge and Iron Company; and Chicago Bridge and Iron …

May 20, 2020 Louisiana / Summary Judgment

Pump Manufacturer’s Partial Motion for Summary Judgment Denied Under Jones Act

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana

The plaintiffs alleged that James T. McAllister (the decedent) was exposed to asbestos while working as a machinist mate aboard various vessels while serving in the United States Navy. The plaintiffs claim the decedent was exposed to asbestos from a variety of products including pumps manufactured by Nash while working in engine rooms on submarines. The decedent passed away from mesothelioma and his surviving spouse and sons seek damages for the decedent’s pre-death pain and suffering, …

May 19, 2020 North Carolina / Summary Judgment

North Carolina District Court Grants Summary Judgment to Six Defendants on Causation Grounds

The plaintiffs alleged that the decedent, James T. Whitehead, was diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of his alleged exposures to asbestos from working with and around a myriad of products and equipment over the course of his career as a sheet metal and maintenance mechanic. Mr. Whitehead was not deposed prior to his death, so the plaintiffs intended to rely primarily on testimony from individuals who worked alongside him in order to identify the products and equipment to which he was allegedly exposed. The …

May 14, 2020 Summary Judgment

Johns Manville Cannot be a Joint Tortfeasor Without Filing a Bankruptcy Trust Claim

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, May 13, 2020

The plaintiffs alleged that Cary Gomez (decedent) contracted and died from mesothelioma as a result of take home exposure to asbestos through the decedent’s father’s work at Avondale Shipyards in the 1960s. The decedent was also allegedly exposed to asbestos through his own work as a plumber with Aardvark Contractors, Inc. from 1988 to 2011. The plaintiffs also named Wayne Manufacturing Company as a defendant, alleging that the company “manufactured and distributed asbestos …

April 28, 2020 Louisiana / Summary Judgment

Louisiana District Court Denies Summary Judgment on Plaintiffs’ Intentional Tort, Fraud, and Concealment Claims

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, April 27, 2020

The plaintiffs alleged the decedent, Callen L. Dempster was exposed to asbestos and asbestos-containing products while employed at the Avondale Shipyards from 1962 to 1994. Defendant Huntington Ingalls Incorporation (f/k/a Avondale Shipyards, Inc.) (Avondale) moved for partial summary judgment on the plaintiffs’ intentional tort, fraud, and concealment claims, arguing the plaintiffs could not show that Avondale either consciously desired the decedent contract lung cancer, or knew that his lung cancer was substantially certain …

April 1, 2020 Missouri / Summary Judgment

Inference of Exposure Leads to Reversal of Summary Judgment against Boiler Defendant

Plaintiffs filed suit against several defendants including Cleaver Brooks “CB” alleging that their decedent, Ronald Callanan, developed and passed from asbestosis as a result of his exposure to defendants’ products. Specifically, Plaintiffs alleged that Callanan worked with David Wolfe at FM Engineering as a field inspector. Their work included inspecting CB boilers but Wolfe was unable to testify that he saw Callanan inspect those boilers because they worked independently from one another. Callanan also worked with Samuel Sorrels at Protection Mutual until 1987. CB moved …

March 31, 2020 Pennsylvania / Summary Judgment

Pennsylvania District Court Denies Summary Judgment to Defendant Under Colorado Law

United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.

Plaintiffs alleged that Harald H. Mehnert developed mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to asbestos-containing laboratory equipment while working as a lab technician at the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver, Colorado from 1959 to 1995. Plaintiffs sued numerous defendants, including Fisher Scientific Company, LLC (“Fisher”), and Mr. Mehnert generally alleged that he used asbestos-containing paper tape, cloth, clamps with asbestos sleeves, gloves, and boards that he ordered from both Fisher and a company called …

March 26, 2020 Delaware / Summary Judgment

Court Recommends Granting Summary Judgment to Pump and Valve Manufacturer

On March 25, 2020, the U.S. District Court for Delaware “recommended” granting summary judgment to defendants Flowserve US, Inc. and Air & Liquid Systems Corporations. By way of background, plaintiffs Pietro Vocciante and Rosalba V. Assante filed a personal injury action against multiple defendants including Flowserve US, Inc. and Air & Liquid Systems Corporation alleging that Mr. Vocciante developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing materials during his career as a cadet engineer aboard various oil tanker ships. Mr. Voccinate (“decedent”) subsequently died …

March 17, 2020 Summary Judgment / Washington

Summary Judgment Granted to Employer Under Washington Industrial Insurance Act

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, March 16, 2020

WASHINGTON – On March 16, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington granted summary judgment to defendant, Alcoa, holding that the plaintiff’s claims were barred by the Washington Industrial Insurance Act (WIIA). The plaintiff, Clinton Casey, worked as a utility laborer and pot tender for Alcoa Wenatchee Works, an aluminum manufacturing facility, from 1973 to 2005. He alleged that during this time he was exposed to asbestos from other …

February 27, 2020 Summary Judgment

NC District Court Denies Defendants’ Request to Stay Proceedings Pending Outcome in North Carolina Industrial Commission Action

United States District Court, E.D. North Carolina, February 25, 2020

NORTH CAROLINA – The plaintiff, Belinda Foushee filed a claim with North Carolina Industrial Commission (NCIC) against Appalachian State University (ASU) alleging her daughter, Anneka Foushee or the decedent, contracted and died from mesothelioma as a result of her exposure to asbestos-containing products she used as a student at ASU. Under N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 143-291, NCIC adjudicates tort claims against the institutions and agencies of the State of North Carolina that arise as a …