Washington Absestos Duty to Warn Companion Cases

On Thursday, the Washington Supreme Court, by a 6-3 vote in companion cases, held that makers of nonhazardous component parts, such as pumps or valves, have no duty to warn about asbestos products (like insulation or replacement gaskets) made by others and attached to the components post-sale, such as by the Navy.

Simonetta v. Viad Corp. [pdf] is here: Download simonetta1.pdfBraaten v. Saberhagen Holdings [pdf] is here: Download braaten1.pdf.

Oral argument in a similar appeal before the California First District Court of Appeal (Taylor v. A.W. Chesterton) is scheduled for December 18th in San Francisco.

Thanks to Mark Behrens (Shook, Hardy & Bacon) for the tip.

–CJR