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  • CHARLES BOUDREAUX et al VS. ADVOCATE MINES, LTD et al ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES BOUDREAUX et al VS. ADVOCATE MINES, LTD et al ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES BOUDREAUX et al VS. ADVOCATE MINES, LTD et al ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES BOUDREAUX et al VS. ADVOCATE MINES, LTD et al ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES BOUDREAUX et al VS. ADVOCATE MINES, LTD et al ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES BOUDREAUX et al VS. ADVOCATE MINES, LTD et al ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES BOUDREAUX et al VS. ADVOCATE MINES, LTD et al ASBESTOS document preview
  • CHARLES BOUDREAUX et al VS. ADVOCATE MINES, LTD et al ASBESTOS document preview
						
                                

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25 26 28 HICKENNA Love & ‘ALDRIOGS LL ‘SAN FRANCISCH, CHRISTOPHER W. WOOD (BAR NO. 113291) MICHELLE C. JACKSON (BAR NO. 170898) McKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LIP ELECTRONICALLY 101 California Street, 41" Floor FILED San Francisco, CA 94111 Superior Cout of Caton, Telephone: (415) 267-4000 County of San Francisco Facsimile: (415) 267-4198 OCT 11 2007 GORDON PARK-LI, Cle Attomeys for Defendant , FORD MOTOR COMPANY eee ese a eay clr SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO, CHARLES BOUDREAUX and Case No. CGC-07-274029 DEBORAII BOUDREAUX, DEFENDANT FORD MOTOR COMPANY’S Plaintiffs, Svraratl CEMENT OF UNDISPUTED ‘MATERIAL Facts IN Suprort Or MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF IssuES vs. ADVOCATE MINES, LTD, et al., Defendants. [Filed Concurrently with Notice of Motion; Memorandum of Points and Authoritics; Declaration of Michelle C. Jackson with Exhibits; [Proposed] Order] Date: ‘TIME: Dept: 301 Jupce: Hon. Peter J. Busch Octeber 29, 2007 930 a.m. ‘TRIAL DaTE: November 13, 2007 Defendant FORD MOTOR COMPANY (“Ford”) hereby submits the following Separate Statement of Undisputed Material Facts and Supporting Evidence in support of its Motion for Summary Judgment, or in the alternative, Summary Adjudication. DEFENDANT FORD SMOTOR COMPANY'S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF ISSUES.28 eRe Ea ‘SAN FRARCIECS AsTo: Issue No. 1 Plaintiffs’ first cause of action for negligence fails as a matter of law because there is insufficient evidence showing that Charles Boudreaux was exposed to asbestos from a Ford manufactured or supplied product part, which contributed to his alleged disease. Issue No.2 Plaintiffs’ second cause of action for strict liability fails as a matter of law because there is insufficient evidence showing that Charles Boudreaux was exposed to asbestos from a Ford manufactured or supplied product part, which contributed to his alleged disease. (ist AND 2ND Causes OF ACTION — NEGLIGENCE AND STRICT LIABILITY) UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS EVIDENTIARY SUPPORT 1. On January 12, 2007, Plaintiffs filed their Complaint against various defendants alleging Charles Boudreaux’s mesothelioma resulted from an exposure to asbestos. 2. Plaintiffs named Ford as a defendant and asserted causes of action for negligence, strict liability, false represcntatioa, intentional tort, breach of warranties, loss of consortium, and requesting punitive damages. 3. ‘The Complaint does not set forth specific facts supporting their claims against Ford, but the “Work History Sheets” indicate exposure to Ford friction products occurred from 2000- 2006 while Plaintiff was employed at the 7-Up Bottling Company. 4. On July 26, 2007, Plaintiffs’ motion for trial preference was granted pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 36(b) and trial was set for November 13,2007. 5. The parties stipulated that San Francisco ‘Asbestos Case General Order 140 applied with respect to the timing of motions for summary judgment, 6. Plaintiffs responded to San Francisco Superior Court General Order 129 Standard ‘Asbestos Case Interrogatories (*G.O. 129”) and 1. Plaintiffs’ Complaint, Exhibit A to the Declaration of Michelle C. fackson (“Jackson Deel”) 2. Plaintiffs’ Complaint, Exhibit A to Jackson Deel. 3. Plaintiffs’ Complaint, L'xhibit A to Jackson Decl. 4, Exhibit B, Order Granting Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preferential Trial Setting, attached to Jackson Decl. 5. Exhibit B, Order Granting Plaintiffs’ Motion for Preferential Trial Setting, attached to Jackson Deel. 6. Exhibit C, Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit D, Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard Friction Interrogatories; -2- DEFENDANT FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS INSUPPORT OF MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF ISSUES,28 Mckee Lai ‘ALDRIDGE Th SAN Pranersca, Ford’s written discovery. 7. Plaintiff also provided three days of deposition beginning on May 30, 2007. 8. While in this matter Plaintiff’: have claimed that Mr, Boudreaux worked with Ford brakes while employed with 7-Up Bottling Company from 2000-2006, Plaintiffs have not set forth any evidence to establish that these brake products contained asbestos. 9. Most importantly, given the accepted latency period in regards to asbestos exposure and the development of mesothelioma, there is no way that an exposure in 2000 could have contributed to Plaintiff"s disease, where he was diagnosed in September 2006. 10. Since it is commonly accepted that there is 2.15 year latency period between exposure to asbestos and the diagnosis of mesothelioma, Plaintiff’ s exposure to Ford products a mere six years before his diagnosis means Ford cannot bbe responsible for Plaintiff's illness. Exhibit L, Plaintiffs’ Supplemental Responses to Standard interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit F, Plaintifls’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Intezrogatories, Set One; Exhibit G, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Request for Admissions; Exhibit H, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Request for Production of Documents; Exhibit I, Plaintiffs? Responses to Ford’s Form Interrogatories; attached to Jackson Decl. 7. Exhibit J, Deposition of Charles Boudreaux taken April 30, 2007, and May 2-3, 2007, attached to Jackson Decl. 8. Exhibit E, Plaintiffs’ Supplemental Responses to Standard interrogatories, Set One page 22, referring to Ford friction products used at 7-Up Bottling Company from 2000-2006; s Boudreaux taken 2007, pp. 83:22- Exhibit J, Deposition of Ch: April 30, 2007, and May 2~ 84:20, 496:14-25, 512:3-9, 31 , 22, $32:17-19, attached to Jackson Decl. 9. Exhibit C, Plaintiffs’ Answors to Standard Interrogatories, Set One, Interrogatory No. 17 and Response, pp. 8:19-9:13; Exhibit K, excerpt from Pathology of Ashestos-Associated Diseases, 2” Fdition, Rogali, Oury, and Sporn, 2004, pp.106- 107, attached to Jackson Decl. 10. Exhibit C, Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard interrogatories, Set One, Interrogatory No. 17 and Response, pp. 8:19-9:13; Exhibit K, excerpt from Pathology of Asbestos-Associated Diseases, 2™ Edition, Roggli, Oury, and Sporn, 2004, pp.106- 107, attached to Jackson Decl, -3e DEFENDANT FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF ISSUES.28 McKeuna Lone & “Auowiuce LLP AST Issue No, 3 representation to Plaintiff. Issue No. 4 Plaintiff. (3"° ano 4™ Causes OF ACTION - FALSE REPRESENTATION & INTENTIONAL TORT), Plaintiffs’ third cause of action for False Representation fail as a matter of law because there is insufficient evidence showing that Defendant made any such Plaintiffs’ fourth cause of action for Intentional Tort is without merit because there is insufficient evidence shawing that Defendant had any special relationship with 11. Like the Complaint, Plaintiffs’ responses to defendants’ standard G.O, 129 Interrogatories fail to set forth any evidence supporting his claims against Ford for false representation or intentional tort. 12. In response to Friction Interrogatory No 8, Plaintiffs provide no facts supporting a contention that Ford made misreprescntations to him in his response to Friction Interrogatory No. 8. 13. Plaintif('also admits in response to Hriction Interrogatory No. 14 that he was not aware and did not read any bulletins, newsletters or containing friction products or asbestos-related health hazards issued by any friction manufacturer, distributor or seller. 14. Ford's Special Interrogatory Nos. 1-6, 17- 19, 43 and 72-74, Ford’s Document Production Request No. 11, and Judicial Council Form Interrogatory (“Form Interrogatory”) No. 17.1 for Request for Admissions Nos. 31, 32, 39-41 and 43 called upon Plaintiffs to provide all facts and identify all witnesses and documents which support their claim of false representation, 15. In their response to Ford’s Special Interrogatory Nos. 1-6, 17-19, 43 and 72-74, Plaintiffs sct out unsupported allegations 4 11. Exhibit C, Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit D, Plaintiffs” Answers to Standard Friction Interrogatories; Exhibit E, Plaintiffs’ Supplemental Responses to Standard Interrogatories, Sct One, attached to Jackson Decl. 12. Exhibit D, Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard Friction Interrogatorics, Interrogatory No. 8 and Response, pp.10:28-12:12, attached io Jackson Decl. 13. Exhibit D, Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard Friction Interrogatories, Interrogatory No. 14 and Response, p.15:13-31, attached to Jackson Decl. 14, Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, pp. 3 9:4-26, 17:1-13, 25:22-27:13; Exhibit G, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Request for Admissions, pp. 9:19-10:2, 11:6-19; Exhibit H, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Request for Production of Documents, p.8:3-17; Exhibit Plaintiffs’ Responses to Fords Form Interrogatories, pp. 4:20-5:2, attached to Jackson Decl. intiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Interogetories, Set One p. 26, V7:1-13, 25:22-27:13; Exhibit G, DEFENDANT FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT. OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF ISSUES.28 Me Kes Lowe SAN Francisca, without identification of any specific representations made to him, or detailing when and what products or actions the alleged representations applied. 16. Plaintiffs fail to provide any specific facts that show a misrepresentation by Defendant to Mr. Boudreaux which caused him to become exposed to asbestos, which contributed to his alleged development of mesothelioma. 17. Ford’s Special Interrogatory Nos. 1-6, 17- 19, 75-77 and Form Interropatory No. 17.1 for Request for Admission No. 42 called upon Plaintiffs to provide all facts and identity all witnesses and documents which support their claim of intentional tort. 18. But Plaintiffs’ responses fail to support their claims. 19, Nowhere in their responses do Plaintiffs point to any specific Intentional Tort committed by Ford against Mr. Boudreaux. Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Request for Admissions, pp. 9:19-10:2, 11:6-19: Exhibit H, Request for tion of Documents, p.8:3-17; Exhibit J, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Form Interrogatories, pp. 4:20-5:2. 16. Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, pp. 3:2-6:5, 9:4-26, 17:1-13, 25:22-27:13; Exhibit G, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Request for Admissions, pp. 9:19-10:2, 11:6-19; Exhibit H, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Request for Production of Documents, p.8:3-17; Exhibit 1, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Form Interrogatories, pp. 4:20-5:2. 17. Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, pp. 3:3-6:5, 9:4-26, 27:14-29:17; Exhibit G, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Request for Admissions, p.11:20-23; Exhibit I, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Form Interrogatories, pp. 4:20-5:22. 18. Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, pp. 3:3-6:5, 9:4-26, 27:14-29:17: Exhibit G, Responses to Ford’s Request for Admissions, p.11:20-23; Exhibit |, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Form Interrogatories, pp. 4:20-5:2. 19. Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, pp. 3:3-6:5, 9:4-26, 27:14-29:17; Exhibit G, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Request for Admissions, p.11:20-23, Exhibit |, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Form Interrogatories, pp. 4:20-5:2. As To: Issue No, 5 Plaintiffs’ fifth cause of action for Breach of Warranties fails as a matter of law, since Plaintiffs are unable to establish the necessary elements. (STH CAUSE OF ACTION - 20, Plaintiffs’ claims do not arise out of any BREACH OF WARRANTIES} 20. Exhibit A, Plaintiffs’ Complaint; Exhibit C, -5- DEFENDANT FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS IN’ SU MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF ISSUES.28 MeKanewa Lose de ‘Aemminee LLP commercial relationship with Ford. 21. Plaintiffs cannot show any commercial buyer-seller relationship with Ford. Nowhere in their responses to Ford’s written discovery is there any evidence supporting their Breach of Warranty claim. . AsTo: Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit D, Plaintifls” Answers to Standard Friction. Interrogatories; Exhibit E, Plaintiffs’ Supplemental Responses to Standard Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit G, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Request for Admissions; Exhibit H, Plaintiff’ Responses to Ford's Request for Production of Documents; Exhibit Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Form Interrogatories; Exhibit J, Deposition of Charles Boudreaux taken April 30, 2007, and May 2-3, 2007, attached to Jackson Decl. 21. Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford's Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, Interrogatories and Responses Nos. 80-83, pp. 30:18-32:14. IssuE No.6 Deborah Boudreaux’s claim for loss of consortium is without merit, as this cause of action is derivative of Charles Boudreaux’s personal injury claims, which cannot succeed. (71H CAUSE OF ACTION- 22. Mrs. Boudreaux’s cause of action for loss of consortium is derivative of and dependent upon Mr. Boudreaux’s personaf injury claims, and since the personal injury claims lack merit, Mrs. Boudreaux’s loss of consortium claim also lacks merit, as a matter of law. Loss OF Consortium) 22. Lixhibit A, Plaintiffs” Complaint; Exhibit C, Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit D, Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard Friction interrogatories; Exhibit #, Plaintiffs’ Supplemental Responses to Standard Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit G, Plaintifi’” Responses to Ford’s Request for Admissions; Exhibit H, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Request for Production of Documents; Exhibit |, Plaintiffs” Responses to Ford's Form Interrogatories; Exhibit J, Deposition of Charles Boudreaux taken April 30, 2007, and May 2-3, 2007; Exhibit K, excerpt from Pathology of Asbestos-Associated Diseases, 2” Edition, Roggli, Oury, and Sporn, 2004, pp.106-107, attached to Jackson Dec! -6 DEFENDANT FORD ROTOR COMPANY'S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISEUTED MATERIAL FACTS IN SUPPORT OF _ | MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF ISSUESMeKesa Lone & Bapeiace LL ‘San Peaneisce As To: Issue No. 7 PLAINTIFFS’ CLAIM FOR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IS WITHOUT MERIT BECAUSE THEY, HAVE NOT SET FORTH “CLEAR AND CONVINCING” OF ANY ACT OF “MALICE, OPPRESSION, OR FRAUD” COMMITTED BY DEFENDANT. (Claim For Punitive Damages) 23. Plaintiffs provide no “clear and convincing” evidence, beyond conclusory allegations they set forth in their Complaint and repeated in their discovery responses, that even closely approaches the required standard required to show that this Defendant committed a tort through “malice, oppression, or fraud.” 24, Ford’s Special Inlerrogatory Nos. 12-16 asks Plaintiffs, in regard to the claim for punitive damages, whether they contend lord is liable to him for punitive damages and, if so, to state all facts and identify all documents, persons with knowledge, and all communications supporting this claim. 25. In their responses, Plaintiffs merely repeat the same allegations as noted above, and set forth in response to Interrogatory No. 2 (which have been detailed above). 26. Plaintiffs also make conclusory statements that Ford “had a duty to warn and/or properly instruct users ...of the asbestos-containing dust hazard”, gave no warnings to Mr, Boudreaux and subjected him to “cruel and unjust hardships in conscious disregard for [his] rights and safety”, 27. In an attempt to support their claims, Plaintiffs reference their State of the Art 23, Exhibit A, Plaintiffs’ Complaint; Exhibit C, Plaintiffs’ Answers to Standard Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit D, Plaintiffs” Answers to Standard Friction Interrogatories; Exhibit E, Plaintiffs’ Supplemental Responses to Standard Interrogatories, Set One; Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Jntesrogatories, Set One; Exhibit G, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Request for Admissions; Exhibit H, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Fords Request for Production of Documents; Exhibit |, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Form Interrogatories; Exhibit J, Deposition of Charles Boudreaux taken April 30, 2007, and May 2-3, 2007, attached to Jackson Decl. 24. Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared interrogatories, Set One, pp.7:20-9:3, attached to Jackson Decl. 25. Exhibit F, Plaintifis’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, pp.3:6-4:17, 7:20-9:3, attached to Jackson Decl. 26. Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, pp.3:6-4:17, 7:20-8:3, attached to Jackson Decl. 27. Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, -7- DEFENDANT FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF ISSUES1 | expert's book, “Ashestos: Medical and Legal pp.3:6-4:17, 7:20-9:3, attached to Jackson Decl. Aspects” without pointing to any specilic 2 | citation and various codes and regulations. 3 28. Plaintiffs do not explain how these 28. Exhibit F, Plaintiffs’ Responses to Ford’s 4 | documents apply to any Ford vehicles he Specially Prepared Interrogatories, Set One, worked upon or how Ford acted in a malicious, _pp.3:6-4:17, 7:20-9:3, attached to Jackson Decl, 5 |_oppressive, or fraudulent manner. 6 71 Dated: October 11, 2007 MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP 8 9 10 n Attomey for Defendant FORD MOTOR COMPANY 12 3 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 MeKENWA Lone & =8. aitgntiarter |) DEFENDANT FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS INSUPPORT OF Tanenscnes MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, SUMMARY ADJUDICATION OF ISSUES