Calif. Court Dismisses Claims Against Suppliers of Raw Metal

LOS ANGELES -- A California trial court has dismissed personal injury claims asserted against the manufacturers of raw metal, ruling that the alleged danger was "clearly" caused by the process undertaken by the plaintiff during the course of his job and not "inherent in the material." Maxton v. Precision Specialty Metals Inc., et al., No. BC403459 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

In a June 28 ruling, the Los Angeles County Superior Court noted in examining past cases that "with but one notable exception, the supplier of raw materials has not been held liable for its product."

"While the court …