Federal Court Dismisses 3M, Cites Sophisticated User Doctrine

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- A federal court judge has dismissed asbestos defendant 3M from a lawsuit, finding that the claims against the company were precluded by the sophisticated user doctrine. Triplett, et al. v. Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co., et al., No. 01-11 (W.D. Ky.).

In the Feb. 2 decision, Judge Charles R. Simpson III of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky also rejected the plaintiff's claims that the mask manufactured and sold by 3M did not adequately warn of potential dangers.

Plaintiff Marilyn E. Triplett filed the lawsuit on behalf of her husband, James K. Triplett, …