Calif. High Court Declines to Review Decision in Substantial Factor Dispute

SAN FRANCISCO -- The California Supreme Court has declined to review the affirmation of a $3.9 million asbestos verdict, rejecting defense requests for the court to clarify that de minimis exposures are insufficient to satisfy the substantial factor test. Norris v. Crane Co., No. S162878 (Calif. Sup. Ct.).

According to the court's online docket, the defense petition for review was denied on June 25.

Jurors had awarded $3.9 million to plaintiffs asserting claims on behalf of U.S. Naval worker Joseph Norris, assessing 50 percent liability to Crane Co. Sources told HarrisMartin that prior to the trial, the court agreed to …