Calif. Court Declines to Extend Workplace Liability to Manufacturers' Metal Suppliers

LOS ANGELES - A California appellate panel has held in affirming defense judgments in a workplace exposure case that theories of liability imposed on asbestos producers do not apply to suppliers of metal products or other raw materials. Maxton v. Western States Metals, et al., No. B227000 (Calif. Ct. App., 2nd Dist.).

California's Second Appellate District said in its Feb. 1 opinion that the metal products at issue are not inherently dangerous "and no other circumstances justify imposing liability" on the suppliers.

Plaintiff John Maxton complained that he inhaled toxic fumes and dust while "cutting, grinding, sandblasting, welding, brazing" …