Calif. Court of Appeals Orders Plaintiff to Disclose Bankruptcy Submissions

SAN FRANCISCO -- A California Appellate Court has ruled that 'most' documents submitted to bankruptcy trusts are discoverable in asbestos-related claims against other defendants. Volkswagon of America Inc. v. The Superior Court of San Francisco County, No. A112934 (Calif. Ct. App., 1st Dist., Div. 3).

The First Appellate District of the California Court of Appeals opined on May 26 that the documents submitted in the bankruptcy proceedings were 'unquestionably' pertinent to the claims brought against other defendants in the action.

'Are documents submitted to bankruptcy trusts by a plaintiff's attorney in support of claims for compensation for alleged asbestos-related injuries …