Calif. Appellate Court Affirms Ruling in Favor of Subrogee in Asbestos-Related Dispute

LOS ANGELES –– A California appellate court has affirmed a trial court’s award of summary judgment to OneBeacon Insurance Co., ruling it is entitled to an award of costs through its role as a subrogee of an asbestos defendant.

In the Dec. 21 opinion, the California Second Appellate District, Division Four, rejected challenges from the underlying asbestos plaintiff to overturn the trial court’s ruling.

Edward Walton filed the underlying personal injury asbestos complaint, naming The William Powell Co. as a defendant. In his lawsuit, Walton said that he had developed malignant mesothelioma as a result exposure to asbestos-containing products.

Specifically, …