Appeals Court Rejects Asbestos Defendant Conspiracy, Market Share Theories

SAN FRANCISCO - California's Court of Appeal has rejected a bid by plaintiffs in an asbestos case to assign joint liability under a theory of civil conspiracy involving several defendants who for years allegedly hid the harmful nature of their products. Chavers, et al. v. Gatke Corp., No. A092551 (Calif. Ct. App., First Dist.).

Affirming a verdict in favor of defendants Gatke Corporation and Owens-Illinois, the First District California Court of Appeal said in a March 28 decision that because it could not be shown that the plaintiff was even exposed to products made by either defendant, there is no …