La. Appellate Court Reverses Summary Judgment Award for Liberty Mutual in Asbestos Case

NEW ORLEANS –– A Louisiana appellate court has reversed an award of summary judgment to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in an asbestos exposure suit, saying that a settlement agreement between the insurer and a now-bankrupt asbestos defendant was null and void as to third-party tort victims.

In the Oct. 21 decision, the Louisiana Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit found that the agreement “essentially rescinded or annulled policy contracts for injuries that were sustained decades ago.”

Plaintiff Nelcome Courville filed the underlying lawsuit, contending that he developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos-containing products.

One of the …