Court Affirms Judgment for Shell, Rejects ‘Narrow’ Reading of California’s Premises Liability Law

LOS ANGELES –– A California appellate court has affirmed an award of summary judgment for Shell Oil Co., ruling that the defendant did not owe a duty to warn the wife of one of its employees of asbestos hazards.

In a Nov. 21 opinion, the California 2nd District Court of Appeal, Division Three, found that the plaintiff’s reading of case law relating to enforcing a duty of care on premises owners for take-home exposure was too narrow.

Wanda L. Beckering asserted the claims, contending that her mesothelioma was caused by exposure to the asbestos-laden work clothing of her husband, an …