News Tagged ‘Supreme Court

Court reopens asbestos injury claim against Anheuser-Busch

According to a recent report in the Insurance Journal, a former Anheuser-Busch employee will have the opportunity to reopen his claim against the company for an asbestos-related lung disease. On May 4, the New Hampshire Supreme Court reversed a decision by the New Hampshire Compensation Appeals Board (CAB), which had earlier ruled the man had waited too long to file a complaint.

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Supreme Court could reinstate Travelers asbestos settlement

According to an Associated Press report, on Friday the U.S. Supreme Court said it is reviewing consolidated cases against the Travelers Companies Inc., to reinstate a $500 million settlement and block any new lawsuits against Travelers. The original settlement was established in 1986 in relation to a group of asbestos claims against Johns-Manville Corp., which was once a leading producer. Travelers provided insurance policies for Johns-Manville.

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Seattle court rules manufacturers not liable in asbestos case

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 , and Vernon Braaten has mesothelioma. Simonetta worked on an evaporator while Braaten was a pipefitter. They claim they were exposed to 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 , they couldn’t be held liable,” according to the Seattle Times report.

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

Meso patient dies while Texas court debates inconvenient forum

While the Texas Supreme Court reviewed an appeal by seven asbestos manufacturers in order to determine an appropriate forum for trial, plaintiff Austin Richards died of mesothelioma. According to the report published by BusinessInsurance.com, the defendants – businesses based in Texas – said trying the case in their home state violated Texas civil code, because Richards lived in Maine. They argued trying the case in Texas would be an “inconvenient forum” for them, as it would be difficult for them to travel to Maine to depose witnesses.

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Louisiana Supreme Court hearing mesothelioma verdict appeal

The Louisiana Supreme Court is currently debating the merits of an appeal lodged by two companies held liable for the illness of Ray Rando, who was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 2005.

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Ohio Supreme Court changes the rules for asbestos victims seeking justice

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — The Ohio Supreme Court has ruled that a 2004 law imposing stricter rules on those suing for asbestos-related injuries can be applied to cases pending before the legislation was passed, a move that could frustrate thousands of people seeking claims.

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Libby criminal hearing Oct. 24

Judge Donald Molloy has set a status hearing for all parties involved in the W.R. Grace criminal case in Missoula, Montana, Oct. 24. The criminal charges were initially filed in 2005, and alleges W.R. Grace knowingly endangered the lives of mine workers and other Libby, Montana, residents. The company is charged with charged with violating the Clean Air Act by releasing asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from its mine there. disease devastated the town of Libby, affecting miners who worked in the now-closed vermiculite mine.

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Supreme Court rejects Grace appeal

Monday the U.S. Supreme Court rejected the appeals of W.R. Grace & Co. and six of its top executives, who are charged with violating the Clean Air Act by releasing asbestos-contaminated vermiculite from a mine in Libby, Montana, according to a story today in the Missoulian. The decision comes two years after the initial criminal filing against the company, which has been delayed pending the filing of numerous legal motions.

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