Calif. Court: Premises Defendant Owed Duty to Wife of Former Worker

SAN FRANCISCO -- A California Court of Appeals has affirmed a jury verdict against Union Oil Company of California, determining that the premises defendant did owe a duty to the wife of an employee who alleged exposure to asbestos from her husband's work clothing. Condon v. Union Oil Company of California, No. A102069 (Calif. Ct. App., 1st Dist., Div. 2).

In an Aug. 31 opinion, the California 1st District Court of Appeals held that because evidence existed that Union Oil contributed to the asbestos exposure at the facility, it owed a duty of care to the plaintiff.

Plaintiff Genevieve Gunderson …