Court Says Question of Fact Exists as to Whether Defendant Dictated Type of Component Used with Product

NEW YORK –– A New York trial court has rejected efforts by Crane Co. to obtain an award of summary judgment in a take-home asbestos exposure suit, finding that there was an issue of fact as to whether the defendant had an influence on the type of component used with its product after it entered the stream of commerce.

In the Oct. 5 opinion, the New York Supreme Court for New York County further found that the defendant had conceded that certain valves manufactured by the defendant did contain asbestos.

Plaintiff Mark Ricci filed the complaint, contending that he …