Court Rejects Defense Attempts to Portray U.S. Navy as Sophisticated User

SAN FRANCISCO -- A California trial court has rejected defense attempts to apply the sophisticated user doctrine in two asbestos cases, opining that the defendants didn't present enough evidence to prove that they were aware that the U.S. Navy had knowledge of hazards regarding asbestos exposure. Janes, et al. v. A.W. Chesterton Co., et al., No. CGC 04-434604; Galassi, et al. v. A.W. Chesterton Co., et al., No. CGC 04-436144 (Calif. Super. Ct., San Francisco Cty.).

However, in the Aug. 29 order, the San Francisco County Superior Court asked for appellate guidance on the issue, saying that interpretation of the …