Product Safety Watchdog Won't Be Liable for Asbestos Injury

SANTA ANA, Calif. - A state appellate court has ruled that a non-profit company charged with evaluating safety of certain appliances cannot be held liable for asbestos-related injuries allegedly caused by the products because the company never specifically maintained they wouldn't cause cancer. Dekens, et al. v. Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., No. G030301 (Calif. App. Ct., Fourth Dist.).

In a April 16 decision affirming summary judgment to Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL), the Fourth District California Court of Appeal noted that by placing its safety seal of approval on the products, UL was verifying that they did not pose an electrical shock …