Calif. Asbestos Judge Awards Evidentiary Sanctions Against Metalclad, Says Defendant Violated Court Order

LOS ANGELES –– The judge overseeing California’s southern coordinated asbestos docket has granted a motion for sanctions in which it precludes Metalclad from presenting evidence that it was unaware of future asbestos lawsuits when it destroyed its asbestos job files.

Judge Steven Kleifield of the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County issued the order during a Nov. 17 hearing, according to a transcript obtained by HarrisMartin Publishing.

According to the transcript, Judge Kleifield found that Metalclad’s person most knowledgeable had seen a prior complaint central to the dispute and acted “as if he’s ignorant about anything having to do …