Suit By 41 Former General Dynamics Workers Barred by Workers' Comp

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - A Florida appellate court has barred 41 former General Dynamics employees from suing over alleged exposure to toxic chemicals, saying the company is immune from suit under the state's workers' compensation statute. General Dynamics Corp., et al. v. Brottem, et al., No. 5D09-3719 (Fla. Ct. App., 5th Dist.).

The Fifth District Court of Appeal on Dec. 30 reversed a ruling by the Seminole County Circuit Court, concluding that the strict liability provisions of Florida's Water Quality Assurance Act did not prevent General Dynamics from relying on the workers' compensation immunity defense.

Wallace Brottem and 40 other …