Defendant: Valves 'Passive Holder' of Asbestos, No Duty Owed

SAN FRANCISCO -- Saying its valve products did not "create or contribute to the danger to be warned against," defendant Leslie Controls has asked an appellate court to affirm a trial court ruling awarding summary judgment to the manufacturer. Taylor, et al. v. Crane Co., et al., No. A117648 (Calif. Ct. App., 1st Dist., Div. 5).

In the Jan. 22 brief filed in the California First District Court of Appeal, Leslie Controls claims the trial court ruling was correct because it cannot owe a duty to warn of dangers posed by products manufactured and supplied by other companies.

In the …