Louisiana Court Allows Asbestos Defendants to Seek Bankruptcy Trust Claim Information

NEW ORLEANS –– A Louisiana federal court has issued an order allowing defendants to seek documents relating to claims submitted by the asbestos plaintiff with bankruptcy trusts, saying that such information was discoverable.

In the Jan. 23 order, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana did find, however, that specific instances of offers to settle were not discoverable.

Plaintiff Jesse Frank Sheppard filed the case, contending that his work for Mosaic Global Holdings Inc.’s predecessor company, Freeport Sulphur Co., caused him to encounter asbestos-containing products. As a result of the exposure, Sheppard developed mesothelioma, the plaintiff said.