Judge Denies Efforts to Strike Testimony on Low-Dose Crocidolite Exposure

HOUSTON -- The judge overseeing the Texas Asbestos Multi-District Litigation recently denied defense attempts to have testimony naming low-dose exposure to crocidolite asbestos as a substantial contributing cause in mesothelioma development, sources told HarrisMartin. Whetsell, et al. v. El Paso Corp., et al., No. 2005-53919 (Texas 11th Jud. Dist. Ct., Harris Cty.).

The plaintiffs in the underlying case proffered Dr. Victor Roggli as an expert who would testify that exposure to crocidolite asbestos in Garlock's gaskets on a 0.015 fiber per cc/yr basis was a substantial contributing factor in the plaintiff's development of mesothelioma.

Garlock challenged the testimony, however, …