California Appeals Court Refuses to Extend Liability to Maker of 'Safe' Product Used with Asbestos Pipe

SAN FRANCISCO - The manufacturer of a product that was designed for use with asbestos piping, but which doesn't actually contain asbestos, cannot be held liable for injuries suffered by a worker exposed to asbestos as a result of using the product, a California appeals court has held. Cullen v. Industrial Holdings Corp., et al., No. A097105 (Calif. App. Ct., First Dist.).

The First District California Court of Appeal said in a decision Nov. 21 that Industrial Holdings Corp. could not be found negligent or strictly liable for the alleged asbestos-related lung cancer of Edward Cullen. Cullen had alleged that …