Pump Maker Entitled to Summary Judgment on Gasket Exposure Claim, Judge Rules

LOS ANGELES - A trial court judge in California has awarded summary judgment to a defendant in an asbestos case that manufactured pumps equipped with another company's asbestos-containing gaskets. La Chappelle, et al. v. American Standard, Inc., et al., No. BC303899 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

In a decision issued March 25, Judge Thomas Oki granted a motion for summary judgment filed by Viking Pumps, Inc., after finding that the company cannot be held liable for injuries caused by the gaskets because the company never required such products be used with their pumps.

'Viking Pumps, Inc. is not legally …