Calif. Appellate Court Affirms Defense Verdict for Exxon, Ford in Case Involving Secondary Exposure

LOS ANGELES –– A California appellate court has affirmed judgments, nonsuit, and jury verdicts entered in favor of a number of defendants, finding in part that some of the defendants did not owe a duty to the wife of a former worker.

In a July 5 64-page order, the California Second Appellate District Court of Appeal affirmed a summary judgment award on certain claims to Exxon, a nonsuit in favor of Rossmoor, and defense verdicts in favor of Exxon and Ford.

Plaintiffs Marline and Joseph Petitpas asserted the claims, contending that Marline Petitpas developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure …