Calif. Court Rejects Insurer's Interpretation of Asbestos 'Occurrence'

LOS ANGELES - A California appellate court has ruled that the meaning of 'occurrence' in commercial general liability policies as applied to asbestos-related bodily injuries is injurious exposure to asbestos, not the manufacture and distribution of those products. London Market Insurers, et al. v. Superior Court of Los Angeles County, et al., No. B189000 (Calif. Ct. App., 2nd Dist.).

California's 2nd District Court of Appeal said in a Jan. 9 opinion that the aggregation provisions in the relevant policies issued by primary general liability carrier Truck Insurance Exchange also preclude treating all asbestos exposures concerning Kaiser Cement & Gypsum Corp. …