Court Finds Plaintiff Failed to Identify Products, Affirms Summary Judgment

SEATTLE -- The Washington Court of Appeals has affirmed a summary judgment award to asbestos defendant Cutler-Hammer, saying that the plaintiff failed to prove he worked with the company's asbestos-containing products. Hautala v. Cutler-Hammer Inc., et al., No. 56701-2-I (Wash. Ct. App., Div. 1).

In the Sept. 11 opinion, the appellate court also found that the plaintiff could not even prove that the products were present at his place of employment, further warranting the dismissal.

Jim Hautala claimed that his work as an electrician exposed him to asbestos and caused his lung disease. Hautala named Cutler-Hammer in his complaint, saying …