9th Circuit Affirms Awards of Summary Judgment to 2 Asbestos Defendants

SAN FRANCISCO –– The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has affirmed awards of summary judgment to two asbestos defendants, finding in part that one of the defendants had provided enough evidence to support its reliance on the government contractor defense.

In the Oct. 27 opinion, the 9th Circuit also found no fault with the federal court’s decision that asbestos from engines was not a substantial factor in causing the plaintiff’s mesothelioma.

Paul Olds asserted the claims, contending that he was exposed to asbestos while working as a jet propulsion mechanic in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years …