Mass. Court Says Crane Co. Can't be Held Liable for Replacement Asbestos Packing

BOSTON -- A Massachusetts court has weighed in on the debate of whether a defendant can be held liable for asbestos-containing replacement parts it did not supply or manufacture, ruling that to impose liability on a defendant in such circumstances would "exceed all reasonable limits." Dombrowski, et al. v. Alfa Laval Inc., et al., Massachusetts Asbestos Docket, Middlesex CA 08-1938 (Mass. Super. Ct.).

While the plaintiffs had originally sought to contest the Massachusetts Superior Court's decision, they filed court documents on Sept. 1 withdrawing their appeal.

Robert H. Dombrowski alleged that, while working aboard several U.S. Naval ships, he …