Wash. Court Affirms Defense Verdict for Subcontractor in Asbestos Bystander Exposure Case

SEATTLE –– A Washington appellate court has upheld a defense verdict entered in favor of a subcontractor, finding the trial court did not err when it tossed strict liability claims asserted by the asbestos plaintiffs.

In the Aug. 25 opinion, the Washington Court of Appeals, Division One, further found that the trial court’s decision to issue a general jury instruction on negligence –– as opposed to one on negligent failure-to-warn –– was not prejudicial since the plaintiffs still had an opportunity to argue in favor of their failure-to-warn negligence theory.

The plaintiffs asserted the claims on behalf of Robert Ehlert, …