Wharf Owner May Be Held Liable for Asbestos-Related Injury of Lessee's Employee, Court of Appeal Rules

NEW ORLEANS - A state Court of Appeal ruled that the owner of a docking facility may be held liable for the asbestos-related injury of a lessee's employees, even if the owner claimed it was not aware of the presence of harmful substances on the premises. Jefferson, et al. v. Cooper/T.Smith, et al., No. 2002-CA-2136 (La. Ct. App., Fourth Cir.).

On Oct. 1, the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal on Oct. 1 reversed an award of summary judgment to the premise owner, Dock Board, stating that there were sufficient facts to prove that the defendant knew or should have …