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  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
  • ROBERT ROSS et al VS. C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS ASBESTOS document preview
						
                                

Preview

BRAYTON@PURCELL LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW 222 RUSH LANDING ROAD PO BOX 6169 NOVATO, CALIFORNIA 94948-6169 (415) 898-1555 oe WDA A RB WN eM PN YPN NR ON DY oe eB eB Be ee we ee me oN Dh BR WN = SO we I DH PB wY HR Oo ALAN R. BRAYTON, ESQ, S.B. #73685 DAVID R. DONADIO, ESQ., S.B. #154436 OREN P. NOAH, ESQ., S.B. #136310 ASHLEY J. BENSON, ESQ., S.B. #276326 ELECTRONICALLY FILED BRAYTON¢PURCELL LLP Superior Court of California, Attorneys at Law : County of San Francisco 222 Rush Landing Road , -P.O. Box 6169 APR 25 2013 Novato, California 94948-6169 Clerk of the Court (415) 898-1555 BY: ALISON AGBAY Tentative Ruling Contest Email: contestasbestosTR@braytonlaw.com Deputy Clerk Attorneys for Plaintiffs SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO ROBERT ROSS and JEAN ROSS, Plaintiffs, ASBESTOS No. CGC-10-275731 IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS' OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT PERINI CORPORATION’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT vs. C€.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS; Defendants as Reflected on Exhibit 1 attached to the Summary Complaint herein; DECLARATION OF ASHLEY J. BENSON ) ) and DOES 1-8500. Date: May 9, 2013 Time: 9:30 a.m. Dept: 503, Hon. Teri L. Jackson Trial Date: June 10, 2013 Action Filed: December 17, 2010 I, Ashley J. Benson, declare as follows: 1. Lam an attorney at law duly licensed to practice before all courts in the State of California and am an associate with the law firm of Brayton**Purcell LLP, attorneys of record for plaintiffs herein and as such am fuliy familiar with the facts of this case and if called as a witness regarding the matters set forth below, 1 would so testify. 2. Attached hereto as Exhibit 1 are true and correct copies of pertinent excerpts of the - deposition transcripts of ROBERT ROSS. Mr. ROSS’s deposition was taken in his previous matter, San Francisco Superior Court case number 274099, on February 20, 2008, February 21, 2008, February 22, 2008, March 4, 2008, March 11, 2008, March 12, 2008, December 15, 2008, December 16, 2008, December 17, 2008, December 18, 2008, January 20, 2009, January 21, KMnjysed\193 49g ld\dee- ATB-PERCOR-msj-sa.wpd DECLARATION OF ASHLEY J. BENSON IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS' OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT PERINI CORPORATION’. 2 MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT2009, January 22, 2009, January 23, 2009, August 10, 2009, August 11, 2009, August 12, 2009, and August 13, 2009. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Executed on April 25, 2013, at Novato, California. Ashley J. Benson K.AlnjurcdJ93-49tphdlee-AIB-PERCOR-ass0. Wood 2 AIB DECLARATION OF ASHLEY J. BENSON IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS’ OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT PERINI CORPORATION'S: MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTEXHIBIT 1Starned Copy IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE Of CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO =--000--- ROBERT ROSS, Plainti tf ’ vs. "No. 274099 ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS, Defendants. . f DEPOSITION OF ROBERT ROSS VOLUME T (Pages 1 - 231) Taken before EARLY K. LANGLEY, RMR CSR No. 3537 February 20, 2608Page 2 Page 4 3 INDEX PAGE 1 DEPOSITION OF ROBERT ROSS. 3. EXAMINATION BY MS. NAGPAL. 14,47, 83 2 4 oe he 3 BE IT REMEMBERED, that pursuant to Notice, and on 407, 124, 129 4 the 20th day of February 2008, commencing at the hour s Be Re 188 8 of 9:35 a.m, in the offices of Aiken & Welch, One 6 ° 6 Kaiser Plaza, Suite 505, Oakland, California, before 3 EXAMINATION BY MR. JONES 46, 104 7 me, EARLY LANGLEY, a Certified Shorthand Reporter, EXAMINATION BY MR. KASTER 62, 82, 88 8 personally appeared ROBERT ROSS, produced as a witness, a 13, in said acti i 9 EXAMINATION BY MS. FOSTER LOVAS 64, 82, 83 9 in said action, and being by me first duly sworn, was 91, 97, 105 10 thereupon examined as a witness in said cause. 10 110,138,131 lL 162 BL 12 --~000--- EXAMINATION BY MS. RASMUSSEN 64, 120, 129 13 12 13 EXAMINATION BY MS. TORESON 84 14 14 EXAMINATION BY MS. GAMBINO 89 i 24 EXAMINATION BY MS.GAMBINO 89 15 ERIC SOLOMON, Brayton Purcell, 222 Rush Landing} 16 EXAMINATION BY MS. NASSOPOULOS 104 16 Road, Novato, California 94948, appeared on behalf of 1? EXAMINATION BY MS. CHAVEZ 06, 221 17 the Plaintiff. 18 EXAMINATION BY MS. OKUMOTO 116, 133, 220, ~ 19 EXAMINATION BY MS. VOTAW 126, 163, 165 18 20 219 19 STEPHEN HARRINGTON (by telephone), Clapp, EXAMINATION BY MS, FRENCH 152 20 Moroney, Bellagamba and Vucinich, 111] Bayhill Drive, 22 EXAMINATION BY MS. HART 168 21 Suite 300, San Bruno, California 94066, appeared on 22 22 behalf of the Defendant Contra Costa Electric, py EXAMINATION BY MR, THE 23 23 EXAMINATION BY MS. HOLWERDA 226 24 24 25 25 + Page 3 Page 5] 1 EXHIBITS 1 ERIN MCGAHEY (by telephone), Sinunu, Bruni, 2 DEFENDANTS’ _ PAGE 2 LLP, 633 Pine Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, 3 A List entitled "Local 16 retirees 27 3 California 94108, appeared on behalf of the Defendants 4 38e: 4 Valley Sheet Metal; Rosendin Electric. B Collection of Mr. Ross's documents 69 5 3 in binder, handwritten notes; 6 SUSAN FRENCH, Archer Norris, 2033 North Main 6 typewritten notes 7 Street, Suite 800, Walnut Creek, California 94596 C Copies of handwritten notes 0 ; appeared on. behalf of the Defendants canis Anderson, jf 7” oftMir. Ross on yellow pieces Rowe & Buckley; Frank Bonetti Plumbing, Inc. 4 of paper, 12 pages 10 i 8 11 SANDRA FOSTER LOVAS, Bassi, Martini, Edlin & 9 12 Blum, 351 California Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, x 13. California 94104, appeared on behalf of the Defendant i2 14 Kaiser Gypsum Company, Inc. 13 1s 14 16 VINEET K. SOOD, AT&T Services, Inc., 525 Market 15 17 Street, Room 2009, San Francisco, California 94105, is 18 appeared on behalf of the Defendant Pacific Bell 18 19 Telephone Company. 19 20 20 al ROBIN HART (by telephone), Becherer, Kannett & 22 22 Schweitzer, 2200 Powell Street, Suite 805, Emeryville, % 23 California 94608, appeared on behalf of the Defendants 24 24 Bridgestone Firestone; Dillingham; Johnson Controls. Aiken & Welch Court Reporters 2 (Pages 2 to 5) R. Ross, Vol. I 2/20/08— 1 2 3 4 5 6- 7 8 3 Page 6 ESTIE A. MANCHIK, Barg Coffin Lewis & Trapp, 350 California Street, 22nd Floor, San Francisco, California 94104, appeared on behalf of the Defendant The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University. JOHN KIRBY (by telephone), Burnham & Brown, 1901 Harrison Street, 1 1th Floor, Oakland, California 94604, appeared on behalf of the Defendants Golden Gate Drywall, Inc. S.W. Spencer & Son, Inc. DREXWELL M. JONES, Buty & Curliano, 555 12th Street, Suite 1280, Oakland, California 94607, appeared on behalf of the Defendants Western Building Materials Supply; Beasley Plumbing. JENNIFER RASMUSSEN, Pond North, 505 Montgomery: Street, 13th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Temporary Plant Cleaners. ” JULIE FARRAH, Ericksen, Arbuthnot, Kilduff, Day, 111 Sutter Street, Suite 575, San Francisco, California 94104, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Ampex Corporation. Page 7 ROLAND THE, Brydon, Hugo & Parker, 135 Main Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, California 94105, appeared on behalf of the Defendants Foster Wheeler; Perini Corp.; Fireman's Fund. BEN HOLL (by telephone), Drinker, Biddle & Reath LLP, 50 Fremont Street, 20th Floor, San Francisco, California 94105, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Monsanto. LEE KASTER, GARRETT DEAL, Filice, Brown, Eassa & McLeod, 1999 Harrison Street, 18th Floor, Oakland, California 94612, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Hewlett Packard. HOLLY ACEVEDO (by telephone), Filice, Brown, Eassa & McLeod, 1999 Harrison Street, 18th Floor, Oakland, California 94612, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Tosco Refining Company. SABRINA AXT, Foley & Mansfield, 1111 Broadway, 10th Floor, Oakland, California 94612, appeared on > behalf of the Defendants A&A Mechanica! Contractors, Inc.; Fluor Corporation; Raymond Interior Systenis-North. i Aiken & Welch Court Reporters Page § ZACH LEWIS (by telephone}, Dal Soglio & Martens, 2250 East Imperial Highway, Suite 200, Ei Segundo, California 90245, appeared on behaif of the Defendant Aerojet General Corporation. MARY PAK, Foley & Mansfield, 1111 Broadway, 10th Floor, Oakland, Califomia 94612, appeared on behalf of the Defendant D.W. Nicholson Corporation. FAITH WOLINSKY (by telephone), Glaspy & Glaspy, 100 Pringle Avenue, Suite 750, Walnut Creek, California 94596, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Fairmont Hotel. JOE SPATARO, Gordon & Rees, 275 Battery Street, 20th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, appeared. on behalf of the Defendants Hussman Corporation; Rosendahl Corporation. MARIA ZEYREK (by telephone), Haight, Brown & Bonesteei, 100 Bush Street, 27th Floor San Francisco, California 94104, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Robert Shaw Controls Company. Page 9 GREGORY KIM (by telephone), Hassard Bonnington, Two Embarcadero Center, 18th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Sequoia Ventures. JUSTIN MCKENNA (by telephone), Bullivant Houser. Bailey, 1415 L Street, Suite 1000, Sacramento, California 95814, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Louisiana Pacific. NOLA VEGANES CHAVEZ, McKenna, Long & Aldridge, 101 California Street, 41st Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, appeared on behaif of the Defendants D. Zelinsky & Sons, inc.; 1TT Industries, Inc.; Metalclad Insulation Corporation; Rudolph & Sletten, MARY ELLEN GAMBINO, Schiff Hardin, One Market Spear Street Tower, San Francisco, California 94105, appeared on behalf of the Defendant F.P. Lathrop Construction Company. 3 (Pages 6 to 9) Vol. ° 2/20/08 -R. Ross,Page 10 Page 12 Aiken & Welch Court Reporters 1 ANTHONY CHIOSSO, ALBERT THUESEN (by telephone} 1 LINDA S. VOTAW, Manatt Phelps & Phillips, One 2 Jackson & Wallace, 55 Francisca Street, Suite 600, San 2 Embarcadero Center, Suite 3000, San Francisco, 3. Francisco, California 94113, appeared on behalf of the 3° California 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendant 4 Defendants Colgate Palmolive; Goodloe E. Moore. 4 Cal-Steam. 5 5 6 ANJALI NAGPAL, Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & 6 ARTHUR J. RELIFORD, JR., P. STEPHEN FARDY, 7 Smith, One Sansome Street, 14th Floor, San Francisco, 7 Swanson, Martin & Bell LLP, 330 North Wabash, Chicago, 8 California 94104, appeared on behalf of the Defendant 8 IHinois 60611, appeared on behalf of the Defendant 9 Plant Insulation Company. 9 Earthgrains Baking Company, Inc. 10 19 a. STEVEN LATHRAM, Lynch, Gilardi & Grummer, 475 AL ALEXANDRA NASSOPOULOS, Walsworth, Franklin, 12 Sansome Street, Suite 1800, San Francisco, California 12 Bevins & McCall, 601 Montgomery Strect, 9th Floor, San 13 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Swinerton 13 Francisco, California 94111, appeared on behalf of the 14 Builders 14 Defendants Cleaver-Brooks, Inc; Oscar E. Erickson, 15 . 15 Inc.; The Henry Company. 16 KATHY HUYNH (by telephone), Low, Ball & Lynch, 16 17 505 California Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, 17 KRISTI K. OKUMOTO, Walsworth, Franklin, Bevins 18 California, 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendants 18 & McCail, 601 Montgomery Street, 9th Floor, San 19 O.C. McDonald & Co.; Cooper Brothers. 19 Francisco, California 94111, appeared on behalf of the 20 20 Defendants Dee Engineering; Pierce Enterprises. az JEFF MINNERY (by telephone), Gibson, Dunn & 21 ee 22 Crutcher, One Montgomery Street, Post Montgomery 22 23 Center, San Francisco, California 94104-4505, appeared 23 ‘ 24 on behalf of the Defendant Genentech. 24 25 25 Page 11 Page 13 1 JANE BLUMBERG, Prindle, Decker & Amaro, 369 1 SHARON HOLWERDA, Vasquez & Estrada LLP, 1000} 2 Pine Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, California 2 Fourth Street, Avenne, Suite 700, San Rafael, 3 94104, appeared on behalf of the Defendants 3 California 94901, appeared on behalf of the Defendant 4 Consolidated Insulation Company, Frederick Meiswinkel, 4 FDCC, Inc.; Lamons Metal Gasket; Monterey Mechanical; S Inc.; C.F. Braun; Triple A Machine Shop; Trane US Inc. 5 Scott Co. 6 6 7 CHRISTINE TORESON, Perkins Coie, 180 Townsend] 7 JOSHUA D. WHITE, Yaron & Associates, 601 8 Street, Third Floor, San Francisco, California 94107, 8 California Street, 21st Floor, San Francisco, 9 appeared on behalf of the Defendants Honeywell 2 California 94108, appeared on behalf of the Defendant 10 Corporation; Georgia-Pacific. 10 Todd Shipyards Corp. id 11 12 CONNIE LEAHY (by telephone), Sedgwick, Detert, | 12 13 Moran & Arnold, One Market Plaza, Steuart Tower, 8th 13 14 Floor, San Francisco, California 94105, appeared on a4 18 behalf of the Defendant PG&E. 45 16 16 17 ALLISON B. SUROWITZ, Selman Breitman, 33 New | 1? 18 Montgomery Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, 18 193 California 94105, appeared on behalf of the Defendants is 20 Atlas Heating; Douglass Insulation. 20 21 21 22 MICHELLE HIRTH (by telephone), Sheppard Mullin, | 22 23 Four Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, California 23 24 94311, appeared on behalf of the Defendant MRC 24 25 Holdings. 25 4 (Pages 10 to 13) R. Ross, Vol. I 2/20/08Page 14 Page 16 1 ROBERT ROSS, 1 on your credibility, do you understand that? 2 swom as a witness, 2 A. Yes. 3 testified as follows: 3 Q. If you need to take a break at any time for any 4 EXAMINATION BY MS. NAGPAL: 4 reason whether to stretch your legs, speak to your $ Q. Good morning, Mr. Ross. 5 attorney and just let me know, we'll be happy to 6 A. Good moming. . 6 accommodate you; okay? 7 Q. My name is Anjali Nagal. I introduced myself 7 A. Yes. 8 to you off the record. I'm going to be the attomey g Q. We try to break every hour and it's about a 9 asking you the majority of the questions this morning, 2 little after 9:30. Now so we'll probably take our 10 although there are several other attorneys in this room 10 first break about 9:30 and if you need to take a break 11. and the adjoining room and on the phone that will also 11 earlier let me know. 12 have the opportunity to ask you questions, okay? 12 A. Okay. 13 A, Okay. 13 Q. You're doing really great in providing a verbal 14 Q. Can you hear me okay so far? 14 response, but I just want you to know that nods of the 15 A. So far. 15 heads, shrugs of the shoulders, and “uh-huh” and 16 Q. Do you understand that you have taken an oath 16 "huh-uh," although they will be noted for the record, 17 to tell the truth? 17 we may not be able to understand what that means when 18 A. Yes, malar. 18 we are reading the transcript; do you understand that? ig Q. And everything that you are saying today is 19 A. Yes, ma'am. 20 testimony as if you were in a court of law, do you 20 Q. I'm going to be asking you questions about 21 understand that? 21 information that goes back quite a few years, and you 22 A. Yes, ma'am. 22 may not remember an exact date. You may not remember] 23 Q. And your testimony and the questions that I ask 23° an exact name, an exact location, but what I am 24 you are being taken down verbatim, word for word by the] 24 entitled to today is your best recollection and your 25 court reporter who is sitting te my right, do you 25 best estimate. Page 15 . Page 17 1 understand that? 1 Do you understand that? 2 A. Yes. 2 A. Yes, ma'am. 3 Q. For that reason we need to get a verbal 3 Q. Lalso don't want you to guess and speculate 4 response to every question that 1 ask you, do you 4 because that doesn't help us and that doesn't help you 5 understand that? 5 either. 6 A. Yes. 6 Do you understand that? 7 Q. And you're doing really great so far. I just 7 A. Yes, ma’am. 8 need to tell you what the ground rules of the 8 Q. And i know you know what the difference is 9 deposition are even though your attorney has probably 9 between a guess and an estimate, or an approximation. 10 told you what they are just, so that we know we're on 10 But I'm going to give you a little example anyway. If 11 the same page or that we have it on the record; okay? 11. I were to ask you to estimate the length of this table 12 A, Okay. 12 you could probably take a look at it and give me an 13 Q. After the deposition is completed you will have 13 educated estimate of it, is it correct? 14 an opportunity to review the transcript either by 14 A. Yes. 15 coming into the court reporter's office or if your 15 Q. If 1 were to ask you the length of my dining 16 attorney chooses to send you a copy you can review 16 table at home that would be something you would be 17 that, and make any changes that you feel are 17 speculating about; is that correct? 18 appropriate. Do you understand that? 18 A. Yes. 19 A. Yes. 19 Q. Okay. 20 Q. However, I do have to caution you that changes 20 And, i'm also going to be asking you.questions 21. that you make, if they are substantive in nature as 21. that may seem redundant in nature for each job site, 22 opposed to a spelling change, or something minor like 22 for instance, but you -- just be patient and bear with 23 that, a date, minor date change, change of amount or 23 me and we'll get through it because that's just the way 24 something like that, myself or anybody else can be this process works and we have to go through your 25 comment upon those changes and that have 2 5 (Pages 14 to 17) Aiken & Welch Court Reporters R. Ross, Vol. I 2/20/08Page 174 L A. Ican't remember that. Powerhouse is -- to the 2 best of my knowledge it was Eagle-Picher. 3 Q. Again, you're looking at a document that's in 4 your orange binder, Exhibit B, is that a list of 5 products that you created? 6 A. Yes, I created some of these products. I put 7 everything altogether. I researched things that did 8 that and did that the best I could. 9 Q. When did you create that list? A. The last six or seven months and I had some given to me by the union. Q. And when you say you did some research, what kind of research did you do? - A. Talking to people, thinking about things, just try to go over in my mind what happened at that particular time. Q. And is there a particular time frame that those materials cover? In other words, did you look at a particular time frame in your job history and then create a list of products that you worked with or around in that time frame? A. No, uh-uh. But these -- no. Q. That's just throughout your career? A. Throughout my career 1 used most of these products, yeah, until they, yes: Page 175 1 Q. And you said you also took pipe covering to 2 mechanics. Was there some other material or are you 3. referring to the mud that you mixed? 4 A. I distributed -~ 5 MR. SOLOMON: Objection. The question is not 6 coherent. 7 Go ahead, sir. 8 THE WITNESS: | distributed mud, different 9 - types of mud, and I distributed the pipe covering to the mechanics on the job. BY MS. NAGPAL: Q. Do you know the brand name, manufacturer or supplier of the pipe covering? A. I'malmost -- the best of my recollection it was J-M. Q. Were you in the presence of any -- strike that. Did you ever have to cut into any of the J-M pipe covering? A. Did 1? Q. Correct. A. Yes, Q. And how many times do you recall cutting into that material? A. Many times. Q._Can you estimate for me whether it was five Aiken & Welch Court Reporters vor scoring any of the block or cutting into any of the ‘ever wear any kind of a mask or a respirator? ~ or was this plant already in existence? Page 176 times, ten times, a dozen times? A. Many times. I'll give you an example if you like. I'm adding on to this but I'll give you an example. We used to skin a saw, this is just one of the things we did. And we'd score the blocks. So they would break easily over the vessels. And that's, you know, that's quite a bit if you're scoring four boxes of block, why, that's a lot. I don't remember. Many times. Q. Is that something you did on a daily basis? A. No. Depends if they were doing a tank.or not. Q. And when you were either mixing any of the mud pipe covering at the fertilizer plant in Helm, did'you A. That was the start of my career. At that particular time, no. Q. Did you use any gloves when you were cutting into the material or mixing the mud? A. No, ma'am, Q. Was this new construction of a fertilizer plant A. Well, to my best recollection, it was already in existence. This was just an add-on to it. Q. Did you see any demolition or tearout being Page 177 performed at the fertilizer plant? A. Not that I can -- not that I can -- not -- 1 don't have any recollection of. MR. SOLOMON: Technically speaking, if there's any tie-ins and some insulation is removed in a tie-in, that falls into what they're describing as a tearout. i just want to make sure you're clear on their question which I think is designed to be unclear. THE WITNESS: Well, I seen that. BY MS. NAGPAL: Q. You saw some tie-in work? A. Well, yes. They had existing. Do you want me to explain how it is? Q. Sure. A. They have existing 6-inch pipe with asbestos on it. They want to tie in there, they had to tear out the asbestos, let it fall all over, stick it in there, weld the pipe and somebody has to go in there eventually and patch all that up ‘and carry on with their work, Q. Do you know the brand name or manufacturer 0! any of the existing pipe covering that is tom off at the fertilizer plant in Helm? A. [can't remember -- I can't remember anything. I can't recall i 45 Vol. I (Pages 174 to 177) R. Ross, 2/20/08Page 230 1 2 oe SIGNATURE OF WITNESS 3 4 5 6 4 8 9 10 i i 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 ig 20 . ‘ 21 22 23 24 25 - Page 231 1 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) 2 . ) 3 COUNTY OF ALAMEDA) 4 3 I, EARLY K. LANGLEY, do hereby certify: 6 That ROBERT ROSS, in the foregoing deposition 7 named, was present and by me swom as a witness in the _ 8 above-entitled action at the time and place therein 9 specified; 10 That said deposition was taken before me at said 11. time and place, and was taken down in shorthand by me, 12 a Certified Shorthand Reporter of the State of 13 California, and was thereafter tanscribed into 14 typewriting, and that the foregoing transcript ‘ 15 constitutes a full, true and correct report of said 16 deposition and of the proceedings that took place; 17 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunder subscribed my 18 hand this 2nd day of March 2008. EARLY K. LANGLEY, CSR No. 3537 State of Califomia 59 (Pages 230 to 231) Aiken & Welch Court Reporters R. Ross, Vol. I 2/20/08Searined Copy IN THE SUPERIOR COURT: OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IN AND FOR THE CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO -7-000+~= ROBERT ROSS, Plaintiff, vs. No. 274099 ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS, Defendants. DEPOSITION OF ROBERT ROSS VOLUME If (Page to 232 ~ 506) Taken before EARLY K. LANGLEY, RMR CSR No. 3537 February 21, 2008Page 233 3 INDEX PAGE i ERIN MCGAHEBY, Sinunu, Bruni, LLP, 633 Pine 3. EXAMINATION BY MS. RASMUSSEN 245, 283, 306 2 Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, California 94108, ‘ Ms 3 3 3 appeared on behalf of the Defendants Valley Shect 5 432, 463 4 Metal; and Rosendin Electric, Incorporated. EXAMINATION BY MR.KASTER 258, 278 5 a 6 6 SUSAN FRENCH, Archer Norris, 2033 North Main WN BY MS. 302, 36: vee . 7 PAAMINATION BY eee ak 305 7 Street, Suite 800, Walnut Creek, California 94596 8 ae Be 3 8 appeared on behalf of the Defendants Cahill : 5 ag 3 Construction Company; Anderson, Rowe & Buckley; and EXAMINATION BY MS.FOSTERLOVAS — 278, 304,339 10. Frank Bonetti Plumbing, Incorporated. 10 363, 372, 388 Li fi 408, : sai 6. n ones 12 SANDRA FOSTER LOVAS, Bassi, Martini, Edlin & [ az TMAMINATION BY MS. OKUMOTO 282,339,429 13 Blum, 351 California Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, EXAMINATION BY MS, LEAHY 308 14 Califomia 94104, appeared on behalf of the Defendant 3 : ° EXAMINATION BY MS, VOTAW 340 15 Kaiser Gypsum Company, Incorporated. EXAMINATION BY MS. GAMBINO ——_360, 409, 428 . . li 38 17 VINEET K.. SOOD, AT&T Services, Inc., 525 Market ag PRAMINATION BY MR SoN 360, 372, 387 18 Street, Room 2009, San Francisco, California 94105, 17 EXAMINATION BY MR. JONES 388 19 appeared on behalf of the Defendant Pacific Bell 18 EXAMINATION BY MR, NUSSBAUM 429 : 19 EXAMINATION BY MR. HOLL 439, 20 Telephone Company. 20 EXAMINATION BY MS.TORESON 456 21 21 EXAMINATION BY MR. RELIFORD = 477 22 22 23 EXHIBITS 23 DEFENDANTS! PAGE 24 24 D Document entitled "Bxhi 248 25 98 pages with handwriting - Page 234 Page 236f ROBIN HART, Becherer, Kannett & Schweitzer, 2200 Powell Street, Suite 805, Emeryville, California i 94608, appeared on behalf of the Defendants Bridgestone # Firestone; Dillingham Construction Corporation; and Johnson Controls, Incorporated. DEPOSITION OF ROBERT ROSS 1 1 2 2 3 BE IT REMEMBERED, that pursuant to Notice, and on 3 4 the 21st day of February 2008, commencing at the hour 4 5 of 9:07 am., in the offices of Aiken & Welch, 5 6 Incorporated, One Kaiser Plaza, Suite 505, Oakland, 6 7 Califomia, before me, EARLY LANGLEY, a Certified 7 8 Shorthand Reporter, personally appeared ROBERT ROSS, 8 9 produced as a witness in said action, and being by me 9 ESTIE A. MANCHIK (by telephone), Barg Coffin. - iP Lewis & Trapp, 350 California Street, 22nd Floor, San Francisco, California 94104, was present on behalf of 10 first duly sworn, was thereupon examined as a witness 10 the Defendant The Board of Trustees of the Leland 11 in said cause. 11 Stanford Junior University. 12 12 13 ~-000--- 13. JOHN KIRBY (in person and by telephone), 14 . 14 Bumham & Brown, 190] Harrison Street, 11th Floor, 45 ERIC SOLOMON, Brayton Purcell, 222 Rush Landing | 25 Oakland, California 94604, appeared on behalf of the « 16 Road, Novato, California 94948, appeared on behalf of 16 Defendants Golden Gate Drywall, Incorporated; and S.W. 17° the Plaintiff. 17 Spencer & Son, Incorporated. STEPHEN HARRINGTON, Clapp, Moroney, Be!lagambal| and Vucinich, 1111 Bayhill Drive, Suite 300, San Bruno, California 94066, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Contra Costa Electric, Incorporated. Aiken & Welch Court Reporters DREXWELL M. JONES, Buty & Curliano, 555 12th} Street, Suite 1280, Oakland, California 94607, appeared - on behalf of the Defendants Western Building Materials Supply; and Beasley Plumbing. 2 (Pages 233 to 236) R. Ross, Vol. II 2/21/08Page 237 JENNIFER RASMUSSEN, Pond North, 505 Montgomery Street, 13th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Temporary Plant Cleaners. CYNTHIA SOLIMAN, Ericksen, Arbuthnot, Kilduff, Day, 111 Sutter Street, Suite $75, San Francisco, California 94104, appeared on n behalf of the Defendant 9 Ampex Corporation. Page 239} JOE SPATARO, Gordon & Rees, 275 Battery Street, 20th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendants Hussman Corporation; and Rosendahl Corporation. MARIA ZEYREK (by telephone), Haight, Brown & Bonesteel, 100 Bush Street, 27th Floor, San Francisco, California 94104, was present on behalf of the Defendant Robert Shaw Controls Company. 10 10 x i 1 ROLAND THE, Brydon, Hugo & Parker, 135 Main ah GREGORY KIM (by telephone), Hassard Bonnington, |, i 12 Street, Suite 200, San Francisco, California 94105, 12 Two Embarcadero Center, {8th Floor, San Francisco, li appeared on behalf of the Defendants Foster Wheeler California 94111, was present on behalf of the 14 Corporation; Perini Corporation; and Fireman’s Fund. 14 Defendant Sequoia Ventures, Incorporated. 15 15 16 BEN HOLL (by telephone), Drinker, Biddle & 16 JUSTIN MCKENNA (by telephone), Bullivant Houser’ 17° Reath LLP, SO Fremont Street, 20th Floor, San 17 Bailey, 1415 L Street, Suite 1000, Sacramento, i Francisco, California 94105, was present on behalf of California 95814, was present on behalf of the : 19 the Defendant Monsanto Corporation. 19 Defendant Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. : 20 20 21 LEE KASTER, GARRETT DEAL, Filice, Brown, Eassa | 21 JOSHUA D. WHITE, Yaron & Associates, 601 22 & McLeod, 1999 Harrison Street, 18th Floor, Oakiand, 22 California Street, 2ist Floor, San Francisco, 23 California 94612, appeared on behalf of the Defendant 23 California 94108, appeared on behalf of the Defendant : 24 Hewlett-Packard Company. 24 Todd Shipyards Corporation. as . 25 Page 238 Page 240] 1 HOLLY ACEVEDO (by telephone), Filice, Brown, i NOLA VEGANES CHAVEZ, McKenna, Long & Aldridge, 2 Eassa & McLeod, 1999 Harrison Street, 18th Floor, 2 101 California Street, 41st Floor, San Francisco, : 3 Oakland, California 94612, was present on behalf of the 3 California 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendants 4 Defendant Tosco Refining Company. 4 D. Zelinsky & Sons, Incorporated; ITT Industries, § S Incorporated; Metalclad Insulation Corporation, and 6 SABRINA AXT, Foley & Mansfield, 1111 Broadway, | 6 Rudolph & Sletten, Incorporated. 7 0th Floor, Oakland, California 94612, appeared on 7 * 8 behalf of the Defendants A&A Mechanical Contractors, 8 MARY ELLEN GAMBINO; Schiff Hardin, One Market 9 Incorporated; Fluor Corporation; and Raymond Interior 9 Spear Street Tower, San Francisco, California 94105, 10 Systerns-North. 10 appeared on behalf of the Defendant F.P, Lathrop 12 11 Constraction Company, 12 ZACH LEWIS (by telephone), Dal Soglio & 12 13 Martens, 2250 East Imperial Highway, Suite 200, El 13 ALBERT THUESEN (by telephone), Jackson & 14 Segundo, California 90245, was present on behalf of the 14 Wallace, 55 Francisco Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, 15 Defendant Aerojet General Corporation. 15 California 94113, was present on behalf of the 16 16 Defendants Colgate-Palmotive Company; and Goodioe B. 17 MARY PAK, Foley & Mansfield, 1111 Broadway, 17 Moore. 18 10th Floor, Oakland, California 94612, appeared on 18 19 behalf of the Defendant D.W. Nicholson Corporation. 19 ANJALI NAGPAL, Lewis, Brisbois, Bisgaard & 20 20 Smith, Onc Sansome Street, 14th Floor, San Francisco, 21 FAITH WOLINSKY (by telephone), Glaspy & Glaspy,| 21 California 94104, appeared on behalf of the Defendant 22 100 Pringle Avenue, Suite 750, Walnut Creek, Califoria | 22 Plant Insulation Company, 23 94596, was present on behalf of the Defendant Fairmont 23 Hotel. (Pages 237 to 240) Il 2/21/08 3 Vol. Aiken & Welch Court Reporters R. Ross,Page 242 STEVE LATHRAM, Lynch, Gilardi & Grummer, 475 Sansome Street, Suite 1800, San Francisco, California. 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Swinerton Builders. KATHY HUYNH (by telephone), Low, Ball & Lynch, 505 California Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, 5 California 94111, was present on behalf of the Defendants O.C, McDonald & Co.; and Cooper Brothers. JEFF MINNERY (by telephone), Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, One Montgomery Street, Post Montgomery Center, San Francisco, California 94104-4505, was present on behalf of the Defendant Genentech, Incorporated. JANE BLUMBERG (by telephone), Prindle, Decker & Amaro, 369 Pine Street, Suite 800, San Francisco, California 94104, was present on behalf of the Defendants Consolidated Insulation Company; Frederick Meiswinkel, Incorporated; C.F. Braun Company; Triple A Machine Shop; and Trane US, Incorporated. Page 243 ARTHUR J. RELIFORD, JR., P. STEPHEN FARDY, |] Swanson, Martin & Bell LLP, 330 North Wabash; Chicago, Illinois 60611, appeared on behalf of the Defendant Earthgrains Baking Company, Incorporated. STEVEN J. SHIN, Walsworth, Franklin, Bevins & McCall, 601 Montgomery Street, 9th Floor, San Francisco, California 94111, appeared'on behalf of the Defendants Cleaver-Brooks, Incorporated; Oscar E. Erickson, Incorporated; and The Henry Company. KRISTI K. OKUMOTO, Walsworth, Franklin; Bevins & McCall, 601 Montgomery Street, 9th Floor, San - Francisco, California 94111, appeared on behalf of the Defendants Thomas Dee Engineering Company; and Pierce, Enterprises. BRIAN NUSSBAUM, Vasquez & Estrada LLP, 1000 § Fourth Street, Avenue, Suite 700, San Rafael, i California 94901, appeared on behalf of the Defendants FDCC, Incorporated; Lamons Metal Gasket Company; Monterey Mechanical Company; and Scott Co. Page 242 CHRISTINE TORESON, Perkins Coie, 180 Townsend Street, Third Floor, San Francisco, California 94107, appeared on behalf of the Defendants Honeywell Intemational, Incorporated; and Georgia-Pacific Corporation. CONNIE LEAHY (by telephone), Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Amold, One Market Plaza, Steuart Tower, 8th Floor, San Francisco, California 94105, was present on. behalf of the Defendant PG&E. ALLISON B. SUROWITZ, Selman Breitman, 33 New Montgomery Street, Sixth Floor, San Francisco, California 94105, appeared on behalf of the Defendants Atlas Heating & Air Conditioning; and Douglass Insulation Company. LINDA S. VOTAW (by telephone), Manatt Phelps & Phiilips, One Embarcadero Center, Suite 3000, San Francisco, California 94111, was present on behalf of the Defendant Cal-Steam Supply, Incorporated. Aiken & Welch Court Reporters Page 244} ROBERT ROSS, previously swom as a witness, testified as follows: MR. SOLOMON: Good moming. This is-Eric Solomon. Last night, or this morning, it came to my attention that my client has a couple of rog books pertaining to years during which he served as an * insulator. I believe I had one year forthe '75, one for the year '76 and one for the year '79. I gave those to Early and I think she is already making arrangements to get a couple of copies made. I'm not sure how many of you will want more. {Phone interruption.) (Off the record.} MS. RASMUSSEN: You were going to state something on the record in reference to documents he produced this morning? MR. SOLOMON: Right. I was in the middle of that. Okay. We did produce three logbooks pertaining to the years 1975, 1976, and 1979, i Some copies are being made, but there will probably have to be more made depending on how many people want them. I'm not sure if he has other logbooks. But at this time that's all I could find. 4 (Pages 241 to 244) R. Ross, Vol. -II 2/21/08A. That's all } can remember at this ti Aiken & Welch Court Reporters Page 301 Page 303 b L A. Yes, ma'am. L Q. Tunderstand that Western Asbestos had the 2 Q. Do you know what --.for what purpose the masks | 2 piping contract. 3 were provided to you? ‘ 3 A. Yes, ma'am. 4 “MR. SOLOMON: Well, objection. That seeks the | 4 Q. And were there any other insulators, insulating 5 witness to speculate. Lacks foundation of personal 5 contractors at this site other than Western Asbestos? 6 knowledge. 6 A. Yes, ma'am. , 7 Go ahead, sir. ? Q, What other insulating contractors were at this 8 MS. RASMUSSEN: I'll strike the question. 8 site? E 9 BY MS. RASMUSSEN: 9 MR. SOLOMON: Objection. The question ignores} 10 Q. Were you ever told for what purpose the masks 10 his prior testimony, so it's harassing and oppressive. 11 were Provided to you? 1L Go ahead, sir, 12 A. No, ma'am. 12 THE WITNESS: J.T. Thorpe & Sons. 13 Q. Were you told you were required to wear a mask?| 13 BY MS. NAGPAL: 14 A. No, ma‘am. 14 Q. And they were working on the boilers; is that 1s Q. Why did you wear ainask? 15 correct? 16 A. [personally wore a mask because asbestos and 16 A. Yes, ma'am. 17 fiberglass made me cough. So, I just eliminated that. 17 Q. And, do you know the brand or manufacturer or 18 Q. Would you wear the same mask all day or would | 18 supplier of the insulating materials that J.T. Thorpe 19 you wear more than one different mask ~ 19 was using? 20 A. No. 20 A. [can't remember at this time. 2u Q, in any given day? 2i Q. Other than insulation on the pipes and boilers, 22 A. Just one day. One mask. 22. did you see anybody insulate any other equipment or 23 Q. Would you change the mask daily? 23° vessels? 24 A. Yes, ma'am. 24 A. I can't remember at this time. 25 Q. Did you ever attend any union meetings where 25 Q. What was the size of the Western Asbestos crew Page 302 Page 304% 1 the use of masks was discussed? 1 at this jobsite? 2 A. No, ma'am. 2 A. It varied. I'd say anywhere from 10 to 40 men. 3 Q. Did you ever receive any yy materials from your 3 MS. NAGPAL: Thank you, sir. 4 union regarding the use of paper masks or other types 4 That's all I have. 5 of respiratory equipment? 5 MR. SOLOMON: Anybody else in the room or shall 6 A. No, ma'am. 6 we go to the phone? . 7 MS. RASMUSSEN: Follow-up on the PG&E Pittsburg) 7 EXAMINATION BY MS. FOSTER LOVAS: 8 site? 8 Q. You had mentioned some information at the site. 9 MS. NAGPAL: Good morning -- 9 A. Yes, ma'am. 10 MS. LEAHY: Ihave -- 10. Q. Is it true that John Hoyt, Roger Fonken and a1 MR. SOLOMON: Connie, we are going to go ahead. «=| 11 Donald Cox are all clients of Brayton Purcell? 12 and finish the table first, but we won't forget you. 12 MR. SOLOMON: Well, 1 don’t know ifhe knows 13 Anjali has some questions. 13 that or not. 14 MS. RASMUSSEN: I should have been more clear. 14 MS. FOSTER LOVAS: May L ask you or would you 15 We'll do follow-up in the room first. 15 be-- [ 16 EXAMINATION BY MS. NAGPAL: 16 MR. SOLOMON: You can ask me anything you want. 17 Q. Sir, what insulating products were you using at 17 Only problem is I'm not under oath so I have no 18 the PG&E Pittsburg facility in the 1960 time frame that 18 obligation to respond. 19° we're talking about? . 19 MS. FOSTER LOVAS: Well, do you choose to 20 A. Johns-Manville. 20 respond? 21 Q. Anything else? 21 MR. SOLOMON: I could tell you that Roger 22 A. We used metal, the mastics that 1 mentioned. 22 Fenken is our client, John Hoyt, I don't know if he's 23 Eagle-Picher mud. 23. alive. He was our client. Ifhe's alive, he's our _ Q. Is that it? 24 client. Eddie Story is dead. Jack Kish is dead. Who ? else am I being asked ab 19 (Pages 301 to 304) R. Ross, Vol. II 2/21/08he's tired and he's had enough, MR. SHIN: That's fine. MR, SOLOMON: Can we go off the record? MS. NAGPAL: Yes. 9 MR. SOLOMON: Resume tomorrow moming at 9:00, 10 (Whereupon, the deposition was adjourned il at 2:50 p.m.} 12 (Total time elapsed: 9 hours 19 minutes.) Page 505 1 2 Q And 3 MR. SOLOMON: Tell you what. I'm not going to nn 4 cut off your questioning, but just for today. I think . 5 6 7 8 SIGNATURE OF WITNESS Page 506 STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) ) COUNTY OF ALAMEDA) That ROBERT ROSS, in the foregoing deposition named, was present and by me sworn as a witness in the above-entitled action at the time and place therein 3 specified; 10 That said deposition was taken before me at said 11. time and place, and was taken down in shorthand by me, 12 a Certified Shorthand Reporter of the State of 13 California, and was thereafter transcribed into 14 typewriting, and that the foregoing transcript 15 constitutes a full, true and correct report of said 16 deposition and of the proceedings that took place; 17 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunder subscribed my 18 hand this 2nd day of March 2008. 1 2 3 4 5 I, EARLY K. LANGLEY, do hereby certify: 6 7 8 EARLY K. LANGLEY, CSR No. 3537 2a State of California ETT 70 (Pages 505 to 506) Aiken & Welch Court Reporters R. Ross, Vol. II 2/21/08