Wash. Court Says Summary Judgment Proper for 3 Respiratory Mask Defendants

TACOMA, Wash. -- A Washington appellate court has opined that three respiratory mask manufacturers are entitled to summary judgment since they cannot be held liable for harm allegedly incurred by asbestos in other manufacturers' products. Macias, et al. v. Mine Safety Appliances Co., et al., No. 39171-6-II (Wash. Ct. App., Div. II).

In the Dec. 14 opinion, the Second Division of the Washington Court of Appeals further found in its reversal of a trial court decision that the defendants did not owe a duty to the plaintiffs since they were not in the chain of distribution of the allegedly hazardous …