Court Rules Ship Repairing Companies Didn't Owe Plaintiffs Duty

NEW ORLEANS -- A Louisiana Court of Appeals has reversed a bench trial verdict in favor of several asbestos claimants, ruling that the defendants involved in the case at the time of the verdict did not owe a duty to the plaintiffs. Palermo v. The Port of New Orleans, et al., No. 2004-CA-1804 (La. Ct. App., 4th Cir.).

In the March 15 opinion, the Court of Appeals opined that the lessor of the property on which the plaintiffs alleged exposure did not owe a duty to the plaintiffs to warn them of potential asbestos dangers.

Those asserting the claims brought …