La. Supreme Court Says Majority of Shortened Deposition is Inadmissible

NEW ORLEANS -- The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled that the majority of a shortened deposition is inadmissible since the defendants did not have the opportunity to cross-examine the decedent. Trascher, et al. v. Peter Territo, et al., No. 2011-CC-2093 (La. Sup. Ct.).

In its May 8 opinion, the high court found that the only portion of the testimony that fell into one of the several hearsay exceptions were comments made by the decedent with regards to his mental, emotional and physical condition.

Joseph C. Trascher filed the claims, contending that his asbestosis was caused by exposure to asbestos …