Arizona Court Upholds Dismissal of Asbestos Action, Finds Claims Barred by New Mexico’s Statute of Repose

PHOENIX –– The Arizona Supreme Court has upheld the dismissal of an asbestos action, ruling that the place of injury held “little weight” in conducting the underlying choice-of-law analysis.

In the Aug. 21 ruling, the high court opined that New Mexico –– where the plaintiff was allegedly exposed to asbestos –– had a greater interest in the wrongful death claims.

While living in New Mexico, plaintiff Dudley W. Pounders worked as a welder at the Four Corners Power Plant. During the course of his employment, Pounders says that he was exposed to asbestos. Pounders later moved to Arizona, where …