Calif. Court Allows Asbestos Plaintiffs to Pursue Brake Grinding Machine Manufacturer

SAN FRANCISCO - A manufacturer of machines used to grind brake linings may be held liable for asbestos-related injuries based on strict liability and negligence even though the products themselves did not contain asbestos, a state appeals court has ruled. Bettencourt, et al. v. Hennessy Industries Inc., No. A129379 (Calif. Ct. App., 1st Dist.).

The findings come as part of a May 4 decision by the California First District Court of Appeal reversing a trial court's award of judgment on the pleadings to Hennessy Industries, which had argued that it could not be held liable for exposure to asbestos from …