Wis. Court Dismisses Asbestos Claims against Owens-Illinois, Cites Res Judicata

MILWAUKEE – A Wisconsin court has dismissed Owens-Illinois from an asbestos lawsuit, finding that the plaintiff had several opportunities to assert a mesothelioma claim against the defendant but failed to do so.

In the Aug. 29 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin wrote that Owens-Illinois “should not be forced to defend against another action, particularly where the same plaintiff was unable to produce evidence on the issue of asbestos exposure that she needs to proceed in this current litigation.”

In the order, the court noted that it held a telephonic conference in June …