Defendants Are Jointly Liable for Asbestos Settlement, Court Rules

NEW ORLEANS - Four former members of the Center for Claims Resolution are jointly liable for the $450,000 settlement of an asbestos-related personal injury and wrongful death claim filed against them and several others, the Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled. Berlier v. A.P. Green Industries, Inc., et al., No. 01-C-1530 (La. Sup.).

In its April 3 decision, the state Supreme Court held that defendants T&N plc, Union Carbide Corp. and the Asbestos Claims Management Corp. are each obligated to cover the settlement, as it constitutes a "joint and indivisible obligation."

The majority's finding, according to dissenting Justice Jeffrey P. Victory, …