N.Y. Court Splits 15 Asbestos Cases into 4 Trial Groups; Separates Naval, Construction, Automotive Exposures

NEW YORK –– A New York state court has consolidated 15 asbestos lawsuits into four trial groups, differentiating between naval, construction, automotive and building maintenance exposure in separating the cases.

In doing so, the New York Supreme Court for New York County wrote in the May 1 order that the defendants would not be prejudiced by the consolidation of the actions.

The plaintiffs asked the court to consolidate 15 cases into four trial groups, marked by naval exposure, land-based construction exposure, automotive friction exposure and building maintenance exposure. The defendants opposed the consolidation efforts.

However, on review, the trial …