Calif. Court Affirms Summary Judgment for SeaRiver Maritime

SAN FRANCISCO -- A California appellate court has affirmed an award of summary judgment to vessel defendant SeaRiver Maritime Inc., finding that the plaintiff had failed to prove that exposure to asbestos was a reasonably expected danger at the time the alleged exposure occurred. Bartholomew v. SeaRiver Maritime Inc., et al., No. A127424 (Calif. Ct. App., 1st App. Dist., Div. 4).

In the March 16 opinion, the California 1st District Court of Appeal opined that the plaintiff had failed to introduce sufficient evidence that asbestos-containing pipe insulation and airborne asbestos fibers were such that "an expert and experienced contractor would …