Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

The Seattle Times reported Dec. 11 that the Washington Supreme Court ruled equipment manufacturers Griscom Russell (now Viad) and Saberhagen Holdings are not responsible for asbestos-related illnesses in cases involving two men who once worked aboard Navy Ships.

According to the news story, plaintiff Joseph Simonetta has lung cancer, and Vernon Braaten has mesothelioma. Simonetta worked on an evaporator while Braaten was a pipefitter. They claim they were exposed to asbestos during these jobs, resulting in their illness.

The court ruled 6-3 in favor of the defendants in each case, finding that “since the defendents didn’t make, sell or recommend the use of asbestos, they couldn’t be held liable,” according to the Seattle Times report.

The plaintiffs argued that the companies should be liable “because asbestos was key to use of the equipment,” the story states.