Crane May be Liable for Valve Exposure, Not Replacement Parts, Judge Rules

WILMINGTON, Del. - Valve manufacturer Crane Co. may be held liable for asbestos-related injuries suffered by a former U.S. Navy worker, but only if the plaintiff can show at trial that his alleged injury was caused by exposure to original parts contained in the products, a Delaware judge has ruled. Howton v. Crane Co., et al., No. N11C-03-218 ASB (Del. Super. Ct., New Castle Cty.).

New Castle County Superior Court Judge John A. Parkins Jr. ruled April 2 that without evidence showing that plaintiff Harold Howton was exposed to asbestos from original Crane Co. valve parts, it is the defendant's …