Cause of Action Derives from Exposure, Not Diagnosis, When Applying Door Closing Statute, Court Rules

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A statute pertaining to complaints filed against foreign companies does not bar a claim filed by a woman who was exposed to asbestos while living in South Carolina, but developed mesothelioma after she had moved from the state. Murphy v. Owens-Corning, et al., No. 25740 (S.C. Sup. Ct.).

The Oct. 27 decision by the South Carolina Supreme Court upheld a ruling on rehearing by an en banc state Court of Appeals, which reversed previous Circuit and appellate court decisions and dismissed the complaint on the ground that it violated South Carolina's Door Closing statute.

The decision, …