Asbestos MDL Judge Awards Summary Judgment to 2 Shipbuilder Defendants

PHILADELPHIA –– The court overseeing the national Asbestos Products Liability Multidistrict Litigation docket has awarded summary judgment to two shipbuilders, reiterating that a ship is not a “product” under strict product liability law.

In separate Jan. 29 opinions, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania also found that the plaintiff’s negligence claims failed since he failed to provide evidence that the defendants knew of asbestos hazards.

Plaintiff David Filer asserted the claims, contending that he was exposed to asbestos while serving in the U.S. Navy. Both General Dynamics Corporation and Huntington Ingalls Inc. moved to dismiss …