N.Y. High Court Says Parties' High-Low Agreements Must be Disclosed

NEW YORK - A plaintiff and a defendant who enter into a high-low agreement in a multi-defendant liability action must notify all other parties of the agreement, the New York Court of Appeals ruled in reversing an asbestos verdict and ordering a new trial on plaintiffs' claims against Garlock Sealing Technologies. In the Matter of Eighth Judicial District Asbestos Litigation, No. 89; Reynolds, et al. v. Amchem Products Inc., et al. (N.Y. Ct. App.).

In a unanimous June 27 decision, New York's highest court said Garlock "was deprived of its right to a fair trial" because it didn't know its …