Court Reverses $800,000 Default Judgment in Asbestos Coverage Action

SALEM, Ore. - An Oregon appeals court has reversed a more than $800,000 default judgment entered in favor of an asbestos defendant that sought reimbursement from its insurer after settling an underlying personal injury case. Portland General Electric Co. v. Ebasco Services Inc., et al., No. A143752 (Ore. Ct. App.).

In a Feb. 8 decision, the Court of Appeals of Oregon ruled that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to enter the award because the asbestos defendant's complaint was silent as to the specific amount of monetary relief sought from the insurer.

Portland General Electric Co. sued Lexington Insurance Co. after …