Texas Asbestos MDL Judge Awards Summary Judgment in Choice-of-Law Dispute

HOUSTON -- The judge overseeing the Texas Asbestos Multidistrict Litigation has awarded summary judgment to an employer defendant, ruling in part that Alaska law governed the claims that allegedly arose out of the plaintiff's summer employment in Alaska for a Texas corporation. Markert v. Tesoro Alaska Co., et al., No. 2010-35923 (MDL Asbestos Judge).

In doing so, Multi District Litigation Asbestos Judge Mark Davidson opined on July 27 that Alaska workers' compensation law bars the plaintiff's claims of gross negligence.

Plaintiff Stephen P. Taylor was exposed to asbestos for three months while working at a summer job during college. …