Wash. Court Rejects Defense Efforts to Obtain Settlement Details, Preclude Corporate Representative Deposition Testimony

TACOMA, Wash. –– A Washington federal court has denied efforts by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. to obtain information on settlements reached in an asbestos case, saying that while the defendant is entitled to the information before a final judgment is entered, access to the settlement amounts is not appropriate before trial.

In the June 11 order, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington also denied Crane Co.’s motion to preclude the deposition testimony of a corporate representative, saying the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure permitted such use.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. moved to compel disclosure …