R.I. Court Awards Summary Judgment to ArvinMeritor, Says Product ID Evidence Lacking in Asbestos Case

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –– ArvinMeritor Inc. has been awarded summary judgment in a brake case alleging asbestos exposure after a Rhode Island court determined that the plaintiffs’ product identification evidence was based on “conjecture.”

In the March 5 order, the Rhode Island Superior Court said that the evidence presented by the plaintiffs would require a factfinder to draw a series of inferences.

The plaintiffs asserted the claims on behalf of Laverne E. Hostetter, who allegedly developed malignant pleural mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos while employed as a heavy equipment mechanic.

Prior to his death, Hostetter testified that he …