SAN FRANCISCO – A manufacturer may not be held strictly liable or negligent for harm caused by another manufacturer’s asbestos-containing product except where the defendant bears some direct responsibility for the resulting harm, the California Supreme Court held today in rejecting “an unprecedented expansion of strict products liability” (Barbara J. O’Neil, et al. v. Crane [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 3 denied a petition for writ of certiorari filed by an insured seeking review of whether an insurer is collaterally estopped from enforcing an arbitration clause in a settlement agreement pertaining to asbestos-related injury claims (George V. Hamilton Inc. v. Nationwide Mutual Fire Insurance Co., No. [...]

NEW YORK – A New York state jury on Aug. 17 awarded verdicts of $ 32 million and $ 19 million to two mesothelioma plaintiffs (Ronald Dummitt, et al. v. A.W. Chesterton, et al., No. 190196/2010, and David Konstantin, et al. v. 630 Third Avenue Associates, et al., No. 090134/2010, N.Y. Sup., New York Co.). [...]

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Supreme Court on July 13 stayed all proceedings in an asbestos case that resulted in a record-setting $ 322 million award until it can resolve a petition to disqualify the trial judge for allegedly failing to disclose that his father filed two similar suits (Union Carbide Corp. v. Thomas C. [...]

GENEVA – The International Labour Organisation (ILO) on June 13 issued a decision that requires that the Canadian government uphold the strictest standards in relation to the health of workers and asbestos (Asbestos Convention, 1986 [No. 162]). Full story on lexis.com LexisNexis® Mealey’s™ Legal News

PHILADELPHIA – A Pennsylvania jury on June 3 held John Crane Inc. solely liable after awarding $ 1.2 million to a man suffering from shortness of breath caused by exposure to asbestos (Richard Nybeck v. John Crane, No. 010404652, Pa. Comm. Pls., Philadelphia Co.). Full story on lexis.com LexisNexis® Mealey’s™ Legal News