arrow left
arrow right
  • 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, CALIFORNEA 94948-6169 4415) 808-1585 oem NY KD A BY 10 ALAN R. BRAYTON, ESQ., 8.B. #73685 DAVID R. DONADIO, ESQ., S.B. #154436 JENNIFER L ALESIO, ESQ., S.B. #258413 ELECTRONICALLY BRAYTON#PURCELL LLP Attorneys at Law FILED 222 Rush Landing Road P.O. Box 6169 Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco Novato, California 94948-6169 APR 25 2013 (415) 898-1555 Clerk of the Court Tentative Ruling Contest Email: contestasbestasTR@braytonlaw,com BY: ALISON AGBAY Deputy Clerk Attomeys for Plaintiffs SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO ROBERT ROSS and JEAN ROSS, ) ASBESTOS ) No, CGC-10-275731 Plaintiffs, ) ) PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDUM OF Vs. ) POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN ) OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT BELL C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS; ) PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR Defendants as Reflected on Exhibit [, ) SUMMARY JUDGMENT Exhibit H, Exhibit I; attached to the ) Summary Complaint herein; 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 KAhyured19340)pld‘opp BELLPR wpet JLA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION |. 2.02 eee 1 ul STATEMENT OF FACTS ... 0000. eects 2 Hl. LEGAL ARGUMENT ... 0.06000 cee ent ene eee 3 A. THE SCOPE OF BELL PRODUCTS’S MOTION IS LIMITED TO THE ISSUES PRESENTED IN ITS SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS ..............0.. 3 B. THE MORGAN AND SHEIBANI DECLARATIONS ARE VAGUE, SPECULATIVE, LACKING IN FOUNDATION AND THEREFORE INSUFFICIENT TO SHIFT THE BURDEN OF PRODUCTION TO PLAINTIFFS . 00.006. cnet 4 c. TRIABLE ISSUES OF MATERIAL FACT EXIST REGARDING PLAINTIFF'S EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS FOR WHICH BELL PRODUCTS IS LIABLE . 00.0... eee eee eee 6 1. Plaintiffs’ Expert’s Declaration Must Be Liberally Construed and Is Entitled to All Favorable inferences. It Does Not Have te Be Detailed, and Any Questions as to Foundation Go to the Weight and Not to the Admissibility of the Expert's Opinion 2.6.2.2 ee eee 8 CONCLUSION 0.0 enn en nnn eee enn EES il KAinjured$0249%plthopp BELLPR spd i JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 TABLE OF AUTHORITIES CASES Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826 20.0... ccc cee eee 7 Andrews v. Foster Wheeler (2006) 138 Cal. App.4th 96.......0...000 000s eee ee eee 10, 11 Black v. Sullivan (1975) 48 Cal -App.3d 557...00 000000 cece eee eee 7 Buckwalter v. Airline Training Center (1982) 134 Cal.App.3d 547. 0000.00.00. cca 9 Conn v. National Can Corp, (1981) 124 Cal.App.3d 630... 0.00.00... eee 3 Furla v. Jon Douglas Co. (1998) 65 Cal. App.4th 1069. 22... 0022 7 Hanson v. Grode (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 601 0... eee cece eee eee ees 8,9 Herber v. Yaeger (1967) 251 Cal App.2d 258 0... 7 Jersey Gray vs. Allis-Chalmers, Corp. SFSC No.274042 0.0.00 o nee 5 Joslin vy. Marin Municipal Water District (1967) 67 Cal.2d 132.000... cece cee ene 7 Juge v. County of Sacramento (1993) 12 Cal App.4th 59... eee eee 3,4 Kelley v. Trunk (1998) 66 Cal.App.4th 519 0000000 eee 9 Powell v. Kleinman (2007) 151 Cal.App.4th 112 0.0... 9 Sanchez v, Hillerich & Bradsby Co. (2002) 104 Cal App.4th 703. ...........0. 0.000005 9 Varlow-Prudent, Inc. v. Hampshire Construction Company (1975) 51 Cal.App.3d 654. 7 Whaley v. Fowler, 152 Cal. App.2d 379 000... occ cnet trent ee 7 Walsh v. Walsh (1941) 18 Cal.2d 439 000 ce cece 7 STATUTES Code of Civil Procedure § 437¢. nen eee eee eee e eens 3 Evidence Code section 801(b) . 0. cece cee teens 8 MISCELLANEOUS “Consensus Report: Asbestos, Asbestosis, and cancer: The Helsinki criteria for diagnosis and attribution,” Scand J. Work Environ Health, 1997.00.00... 0000s eas 6 The Law Revision Commission comment 801... .......-0 0600 e cece eee eee 8 Katujunsi1930'pldopp BELLPR vp ii JLA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 L INTRODUCTION Defendant BELL PRODUCTS INC. (hereinafter “defendant” or “BELL PRODUCTS ”) Motion For Summary Judgment argues that summary judgment should be granted based one contentions, namely that plaintiff ROBERT ROSS (“plaintiff”) cannot demonstrate a compensable injury caused by his occupational asbestos exposure. BELL PRODUCTS’s motion does not dispute that plaintiff was exposed to asbestos by the work of its MECHANICAL employees. Neither does BELL PRODUCTS dispute that plaintiff has colon cancer. BELL PRODUCTS’s only arguments relate to the issue of causation and do not involve the extent or nature of any asbestos exposure. In support of its argument that plaintiffs cannot establish that a compensable injury attributable to BELL PRODUCTS exists, BELL PRODUCTS relies on the inadmissible declarations of Drs. Khalil Sheibani and Robert Morgan Dr. Morgan concludes that colon cancer is not causally connected to any asbestos exposure in anyone ever and therefore cannot be caused by asbestos in Mr. ROSS and Dr. Sheibani insists, without any explanation or citation to a single peer-reviewed article, that it is perfectly reasonable to extrapolate diagnostic criteria for lung cancer attribution to asbestos to colon cancer. However, Drs. Sheibani and Morgan’s conclusions as set forth in their declarations should be stricken as both have failed to indicate the necessary foundation. (See Plaintiffs’ Evidentiary Objections.) If this Court determines that the declarations of Drs. Sheibani and Morgan are admissible in their entirety, plaintiffs nevertheless establish that a triable issue of fact exists regarding the issue of causation. In response to defendant’s arguments, plaintiffs offer the declaration of Dr. David A. Schwartz, M.D., who concludes that Mr. ROSS has asbestosis as well as asbestos-induced colon cancer. He further concludes that Mr. ROSS’s colon cancer is in part caused by his exposure to asbestos. Additionally, Dr. Schwartz concludes that people, such as Mr. ROSS, with asbestos exposure and with an additional history of tobacco exposure, have a significantly higher incidence of cancer complications than with either asbestos or dif Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 1 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCO OW YN DR A BY De RM NR NY NYY BR Ye Be Be Se Se ee Be Be Be eo WA A PB OH se So we IY DR mA BW BW ee oS tobacco exposure alone, as the combined increased risk of these two carcinogens is multiplicative. Referencing numerous and clearly identified scientific and medical articles, Dr. Schwartz concluded that it is generally accepted in the medical community that exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos-induced cancers, including Mr. ROSS’s asbestos-induced colon cancer. Dr. Schwartz further concludes that every occupational exposure to asbestos above ackground, given sufficient minimum latency, was a substantial contributing factor to both Mr. ROSS's asbestosis and his colon cancer, this exposure was continuous, above background evels, and substantial. The conflicting expert declarations establish that a triable issue of fact exists as it pertains to the only issue raised by BELL PRODUCTS in its Motion, namely the issue of causation. i. STATEMENT OF FACTS David Schwartz, M.D., reviewed medical records from the plaintiff ROBERT ROSS, including his pathology and radiology reports, and including pulmonologist Alvin J. Schonfeld, M.D.'s report dated September 16, 2009. Dr. Schwartz concluded that Mr. ROSS has asbestosis, and, as well, he has developed colon cancer which was caused in part by his exposure to asbestos. Additionally, people, such as Mr. ROSS with asbestos exposure with an additional history of tobacco exposure, have a significantly higher incidence of cancer complications than with either asbestos or tobacco exposure alone, as the combined increased risk of these two carcinogens is multiplicative, (Plaintiffs’ Separate Statement of Disputed Material Facts “PSS” No. 1.) Asbestos fibers are complete human carcinogens. Every asbestos fiber that comes into contact with a cell in the respiratory system or gastrointestinal system may, on a more likely than not basis, elicit a physiological response from the body. The body has a limited ability to deal with this exposure burden. Some of the fibers will stimulate removal mechanisms and eventually be removed from the body. Every exposure to asbestos above background level Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 2 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 contributed to cause Mr. ROSS’s asbestosis and colon cancer because it is well understood that asbestos-related diseases are dose-response-related diseases, and it is impossible to show exactly which exposures to asbestos caused the disease. Any fiber contacting a cell may cause genetic damage, may induce inflammatory reactions, or may cause other biochemical reactions, including those which lead to the development of asbestosis and colon cancer. After accounting for sufficient latency, these diseases result from cumulative exposure to asbestos. In individuals who develop these diseases, such as Mr. ROSS, every occupational or para-occupational exposure to asbestos plays a role in causing the disease. (PSS Nos.2-3.) Each and every one of the peer reviewed articles in the Annotated Bibliography of Colon Cancer Articles, attached as Exhibit 4 to Dr, Schwartz’s declaration, is independently a basis for Dr. Schwartz’s conclusion that it is generally accepted in the medical community that exposure to asbestos can and does cause asbestos-induced cancers of the G-I track, including Mr. ROSS’s asbestos induced colon cancer. (PSS No, 4.) Exposure to asbestos contributed to cause Mr. ROSS’s colon cancer and every occupational exposure to asbestos above background, given sufficient minimum latency, was a substantial contributing factor to both Mr. ROSS’s asbestosis and his colon cancer; this exposure was continuous, above background levels, and substantial. (PSS No. 5.) I. LEGAL ARGUMENT. A. THE SCOPE OF BELL PRODUCTS’S MOTION IS LIMITED TO THE ISSUES PRESENTED IN ITS SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS California Code of Civil Procedure § 437c¢ imposes “on the moving party both a pleading requirement and a substantive burden in order to prevail on a motion for summary judgment.” (Juge v. County of Sacramento (1993) 12 Cal. App.4th 59, 66.) “[T]he initial duty to define the issues presented by the complaint and to challenge them factually is on the defendant who seeks a summary judgment.” (Conn v. National Can Corp. (1981) 124 Cal. App.3d 630, 638.) This duty requires a defendant seeking summary judgment to set forth in its moving papers “with specificity (1) the issues tendered by the complaint or answer Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 3 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 which are pertinent to the summary judgment motion and (2) each of the grounds of law upon which the moving party is relying in asserting that the action has no merit or there is no defense to the action.” (Juge, 12 Cal. App.4th at 67.) BELL PRODUCTS argues in its Motion that plaintiffs cannot obtain evidence that would establish that plaintiff ROBERT ROSS has a compensable injury caused by his occupational asbestos exposure. BELL PRODUCTS makes no claim that plaintiffs’ discovery responses and deposition testimony are factually devoid or deficient. In addition, BELL PRODUCTS does not dispute the asbestos content of its products or that as a result of its employees working with and around its equipment or products plaintiff was exposed to substantial levels of respirable asbestos. BELL PRODUCTS also does not dispute that plaintiff has colon cancer nor does BELL PRODUCTS dispute that plaintiff has asbestosis. Since none of the above-listed issues are in dispute, BELL PRODUCTS cannot later raise these issues in any reply or at oral hearing. The only issue before this Court pertains to whether plaintiffs have established by the evidence they presented in opposition to BELL PRODUCTS’s Motion that a triable issue of fact exists regarding whether Mr. ROSS suffered a compensable injury which was caused by his occupational asbestos exposure. B. THE MORGAN AND SHEIBANI DECLARATIONS ARE VAGUE, SPECULATIVE, LACKING IN FOUNDATION AND THEREFORE INSUFFICIENT TO SHIFT THE BURDEN OF PRODUCTION TO PLAINTIFFS The declarations of Drs. Morgan and Sheibani are impossibly general, vague, and without support for the “opinions” they hepe to advance. Dr. Morgan, an. epidemiologist whose most notable publication in the area was rejected by a peer-reviewed journal and was the product of $40,000 of asbestos-defense funding, relies on a grand total of three meta-analyses (including his own) for his conclusions. His declaration speaks in exceedingly broad terms intended to play up the utility and reliability of the three studies he cherry picked from the literature . Itis unclear what other “scientists” or what “government agencies,” to the extent that any exist, rely on this particular epidemiological tool that Dr. Morgan rates so highly. It is Me Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 4 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCO wm YD A BR RY RM NR NY NYY BR Ye Be Be Se Se ee Be Be Be eo WA A BOB He se Ss oO we YY BD mA Bw ww similarly mystifying as to what the reason would be for these unnamed and undescribed scientists and “government agencies” to “turn to meta-analysis.” To the extent that Dr. Morgan intends to rely on what turns out to be two meta-analyses that he published and one other for his “estimate of risk,” it is important that the Court heed the doctor’s own advice when he testified in the matter of Jersey Gray vs. Allis-Chalmers, Corp. (SFSC No.274042): “Well, causation is more than just issues of relative risk . When you're looking at causation, you have other things to be concerned about as well. And you don't make up your mind purely on the basis of a relative risk . So when you give me some relative risks and sort of say, well, is this causation or is that not causation? I'm saying, look, causation is more than just a series of relative risks.’ (Deposition of Robert Morgan, taken on November 7, 2007, pg 32:4-11, attached as Exhibit B to the Alesio Declaration.) As Dr. Morgan correctly notes, above, causation is a great deal more than merely an assessment of risk, yet the doctor’s conclusions, contained in the instant declaration, rely solely on risk assessment to derive his opinion that colon cancer is not caused by asbestos exposure. Furthermore, this testimony lacks foundation and is speculative, as Dr. Morgan has admitted on several occasions that he is not an expert on the biology of how cancer is caused: “Q. Are you an expert in carcinogenesis? A. No. Q. Are you an expert in the pathogenesis of asbestos disease? A. No.’ (Deposition of Robert Morgan, taken on November 7, 2007, at pg 24:22- 25:1, in the matter of Jersey Gray vs. Allis-Chalmers, Corp. (SFSC No.274042).) Dr. Sheibani, a pathologist, is qualified to describe the type of cancer he saw under the microscope in the particularly limited amount of tissue he was given(in this case adenocarcinoma of the colon, undisputed by plaintiffs), but he leaps to conclusions regarding causation that, in addition to having no foundation contained anywhere in the declaration, tnisstate criteria for lung cancer attribution that he attempts (without explanation) to apply to Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 3 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 colon cancer. Dr. Sheibani pronounces that it is “scientifically reasonable” to apply one diagnostic criterion picked at random from the realm of lung cancer to that of colon cancer. The doctor does not explain why it would not also be scientifically reasonable to apply the pathologic criteria for diagnosis of mesothelioma or laryngeal cancer, other asbestos-caused cancers. The doctor, likewise, does not discuss that in the alternative to finding asbestos bodies in lung tissue, the causal relationship between lung cancer and asbestos may be linked by the presence of asbestosis in the affected individual or, in the absence of asbestosis or pathologic evidence, a history of exposures to asbestos in excess of 25 f/ce years. (“Consensus Report: Asbestos, Asbestosis, and cancer: The Helsinki criteria for diagnosis and attribution,” Scand J. Work Environ Health, 1997; 23:311-6.) Incidentally, ROBERT ROSS has both clinical asbestosis and over 30 years of work as an insulator, so if Dr. Sheibani wishes to rely on lung cancer criteria for asbestos attribution, Mr. ROSS meets that test at least two separate ways. With respect to his conclusions about polyps being the sole cause to the exclusion over 30 years of asbestos exposure, Dr. Sheibani does not cite a single paper, report, publication, or other work that he has undertaken that provides a basis for this opinion, Accordingly, the Court should strike these portions of his declaration as being speculative and lacking in foundation. c. TRIABLE ISSUES OF MATERIAL FACT EXIST REGARDING PLAINTIFF’S EXPOSURE TO ASBESTOS FOR WHICH BELL PRODUCTS iS LIABLE If the Court should find that BELL PRODUCTS has shifted the burden to plaintiffs which it has not, the Court should deny BELL PRODUCTS’s Motion for Summary Judgment as triable issues of material fact exist. When evaluating the evidence before the Court, the Court must remember that in ruling upon a summary judgment motion, it is the primary duty of the trial court to determine if the opposing party has presented any facts which give rise to a triable issue. Ifa single material issue surfaces, the Court is powerless to proceed further, but rather must allow the issue to be resolved by a trier of fact. As is well established in California, the focus of the courts’ entire inquiry when faced with a summary judgment motion is issue finding, not issue determination. (Black v. Sullivan (1975) 48 Cal.App.3d 557.) The purpose Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 6 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 of the summary judgment procedure is to discover, through the medium of affidavits, whether parties possess evidence requiring the weighing procedures of trial. (Joslin v. Marin Municipal Water District (1967) 57 Cal.2d 132.) A triable issue of fact exists if the evidence would allow a reasonable trier of fact to find in favor of the party opposing the motion in accordance with the standard of proof applicable at trial. (Aguilar v. Atlantic Richfield Co. (2001) 25 Cal.4th 826, 850.) In ruling upon the propricty of a summary judgment the Court will consider most liberally the affidavits filed on behalf of the party defending the motion, even considering ultimate facts and conclusions of law to the end that no case with a possible triable issue of fact will be disposed of summarily. (Whaley v. Fowler, 152 Cal App.2d 379.) The trial court, in examining the supporting and opposing papers, must strictly construe the evidence offered by the moving party and liberally interpret the evidence of the opposing party. (Varlow-Prudent, Inc. v. Hampshire Construction Company (1975) 51 Cal.App.3d 654.) The facts alleged in the affidavits of the party opposing the motion must be accepted as true, and the allegations therein need not necessarily state strictly evidentiary facts in order to be sufficient to warrant denial of the motion, (Herber v. Yaeger (1967) 251 Cal.App.2d 258.) If the Court should find that BELL PRODUCTS has somehow shifted the burden to plaintiffs, which it has not, the Court should still deny BELL PRODUCTS’s motion as triable issues of material fact exist. “The function of the trial court in ruling on a motion for summary judgment is merely to determine whether such issues of fact exist, not to decide the merits of the issues themselves.” (Furla v. Jon Douglas Co. (1998) 65 Cal.App.4th 1069, 1076-7.) “The primary duty of the trial court is to decide whether there is an issue of fact to be tried. If it finds one, it is then powerless to proceed further, but must allow such issue to be tried by a jury unless a jury trial is waived.” (Walsh v. Walsh (1941) 18 Cal.2d 439, 441, emphasis added.) “If an issue of fact is present the trial court abuses its discretion in granting such a motion.” (Black v. Sullivan, supra.) Mit Me Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 7 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 i. Plaintiffs' Expert’s Declaration Must Be Liberally Construed and Is Entitled to All Favorable Inferences. It Does Not Have to Be Detailed, and Any Questions as to Foundation Go to the Weight and Not to the Admissibility of the Expert’s Opinion Evidence Code section 801(b) provides: Testimony of expert witness must be... Based on matter (including his special knowledge, skill, experience, training, and education) perceived by or personally known to the witness or made known to him at or before the hearing, whether or not admissible, that is of a type that reasonably may be relied upon by an expert in forming an opinion upon the subject to which his testimony relates, unless an expert is precluded by law from using such matter as a basis for is opinion. The Law Revision Commission comments to 801 state: In regard to some matters of expert opinion, an expert must, if he is gong to give an opinion that will be helpful to the jury, rely on reports, statements, and other information that might not be admissible evidence. (T)he matter relied upon by the expert in forming his opinion must be of a type that reasonably may be relied upon by experts in forming an opinion upon the subject to which his testimony relates. The rule stated in subdivision (b) thus permits an expert to base his opinion upon reliable matter, whether or not admissible, of a type that may reasonably be used in forming an opinion upon the subject to which his expert testimony relates. In determining whether the facts as shown by the parties give rise to a triable issue of material fact, “the moving party’s affidavits are strictly construed while those of the opposing are liberally construed... We accept as undisputed facts only those portions of the moving party’s evidence that are not contradicted by the opposing party’s evidence... “ In other words, the facts alleged in the evidence of the party opposing summary judgment and the reasonable inferences therefrom must be accepted as true. (Hanson v. Grode (1999) 76 Cal.App.4th 601, at 604, citing A-H Plating, Inc. v. American National Fire Ins. Co. (1997) 57 Cal.App.4th 427, 433-434.) Cases dismissing expert declarations in connection with summary judgment motions do so on the basis that the opinions were either speculative or were stated without sufficient Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 8 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 certainty. It is sufficient if an expert declaration establishes the matters relied upon in expressing the opinion, that the opinion rests on matters of a type reasonably relied upon, and the bases for the opinion. (Sanchez v. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. (2002) 104 Cal_App.4th 703, 718.) However, in deciding on the sufficiency and admissibility of expert’s declarations there are different considerations, dependant upon whether the declarations are proffered in support of, or in opposition to, a motion for summary judgment. The court in Kelley v. Trunk (1998) 66 Cal.App.4th 519, considered the sufficiency of the declaration of defendant’s expert in support of the defendant’s motion for summary judgment. in Hansen v. Grode (1999) 76 Cal. App.4th 601, the court was considering the sufficiency of the declaration of the plaintiff's expert in opposition to the defendant’s summary judgment motion. The court in Powell v. Kleinman (2007) 151 Cal.App.4th 112, reconciled the two: The court in Kelley was considering the sufficiency of the declaration of the Tefendant's expert in support of the defendant’s motion for summary judgment. In such cases, the defendant ‘bears the burden of persuasion that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that he is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.’ (Citation) Thus the Kelley court was considering the burden of production to make a prima Facie showing of the nonexistence of any genuine issue of material fact. To meet such a burden, the Kelley court concluded the declaration of the defendant’s expert had to be detailed and with foundation. (Citing Kelley, supra, at 524) In contrast, the court in Hanson was considering the sufficiency of the declaration of the Plaintiff's expert in opposition to the defendant’s summary judgment motion. In such a case, the declaration submitted by the Plaintiff did not have to be detailed, was entitled to all favorable inferences and was deemed sufficient to defeat the summary judgment motion. (Citing Hanson, supra, at 607-608) We conclude that both the Kelley and Hanson courts properly applied the rule that, when considering the declarations of the parties’ experts, we liberally construe the declarations for the Plaintiff's experts and resolve any doubts as to the propriety of granting the motion in favor of Plaintiff. Accordingly, we apply this well-settled rule of evidence... (at 125-126, emphasis the court’s) Likewise, in Buckwalter v. Airline Training Center (1982) 134 Cal. App.3d 547, 553- 554, the court held: Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 9 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.S. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCO OW YN DR A BY De RM NR NY NYY BR Ye Be Be Se Se ee Be Be Be eo WA A PB OH se So we IY DR mA BW BW ee oS The reasonableness of an expert's reliance is a question of degree, and may well vary with the circumstances. Where, as here, there is little or no direct evidence upon which the expert can base an opinion, the expert may have to turn to forms of circumstantial evidence on which he might not otherwise rely. In such circumstances, the necessity for the information dictates that courts accord to experts somewhat greater latitude in sources oripsormation than might otherwise be the case. (Emphasis added. Plaintiffs’ expert declaration herein — lengthy, detailed and reasoned, stated with certainty ~ are qualitatively and substantively different from those offered in Andrews v. Foster Wheeler (2006) 138 Cal_-App.4th 96. The well-settled rules of evidence to construe these declarations “liberally” with an entitlement to all “favorable inferences” cannot be ignored. The factual bases, explanations and reasoning for the expert’s conclusions can be transparently and readily determined. The opinions are directly based upon the expert’s personal observations, research and testing, supported and/or based upon a plethora of scientific writings and treatises, all specifically set forth in their declarations. The expert’s facts, reasoning, and explanations are neither obtuse or oblique. They are not “speculation” or “conjecture” but rather are the specific well-researched and tested opinions of an expert with vast experience in the field of asbestos exposure. His opinions are rendered with reasoned explanations of why the underlying facts lead to their ultimate conclusion. Moreover, as set forth above, when considering the declaration, it must be liberally construed by the Court, entitling the declaration to all favorable inferences. Accordingly, this matter is readily distinguishable from Andrews. Here, as opposed to Andrews, “how [the expert] reached their conclusions” is eminently understandable. In support of their Opposition, plaintiffs submit the declaration of Dr. David A. Schwartz, a medical doctor, who concludes that Mr. ROSS has asbestosis, as well as asbestos- induced colon cancer. In fact, unlike BELL PRODUCTS’s Dr. Morgan, Dr. Schwartz performed an examination of Mr. ROSS. (See Declaration of David A. Schwartz (“Schwartz Decl”) at § 7, attached as Exhibit A to the Declaration of Jennifer L. Alesio (“Alesio Decl.”).) Dr. Schwartz, concludes that people, such as Mr. ROSS, with asbestos exposure with an additional history of tobacco exposure, have a significantly higher incidence of cancer Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 10 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.S. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCO OW YN DR A BY De RM NR NY NYY BR Ye Be Be Se Se ee Be Be Be eo WA A PB OH se So we IY DR mA BW BW ee oS complications than with either asbestos or tobacco exposure alone, as the combined increased risk of these two carcinogens is multiplicative. BELL PRODUCTS maintains that plaintiffs colon cancer cannot be caused by asbestos exposure. In response thereto, plaintiffs offer evidence directly contradicting the conclusions reached by BELL PRODUCTS’s doctors. Dr. Schwartz declares that based on his experience, training, and historical review, there are various articles that he has studied regarding the association between asbestos exposure and colon cancer, He attaches the Annotated Bibliography of Colon Cancer Articles to his declaration. Each and every one of these peer- reviewed articles in the attached Annotated Bibliography of Colon Cancer Articles is independently a basis for his conclusion that it is generally accepted in the medical community that exposure to asbestos can cause asbestos-induced cancers, including Mr. ROSS's asbestos- induced colon cancer. Dr, Schwartz further concludes that every occupational exposure to asbestos above background, given sufficient minimum latency, was a substantial contributing factor to both Mr. ROSS's asbestosis and his colon cancer, this exposure was continuous, above background levels and substantial. (PSS 6.) Therefore, Dr. Schwartz’s declaration is admissible evidence. Here, unlike Andrews, it is detailed and factually based with reasoned explanations for the opinions and conclusions. The declaration, and all the favorable inferences derived therefrom, demonstrates that there exist triable issues of material fact. CONCLUSION For the reasons stated herein, plaintiffs respectfully request that this Court deny BELL PRODUCTS INC.’s Motion for Summary Judgment, as plaintiffs have offered affirmative evidence establishing that a triable issue of fact exists that there is a compensable injury caused by Mr. ROSS’s occupational asbestos exposure. Dated: 4/25/13 BRAYTON“PURCELL LLP By: /s/ Jennifer L. Alesio Jennifer L. Alesio Attorneys for Plaintiffs Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe Wi JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDLIM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSEFION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENTCO OW YN DR A BY De RM NR NY NYY BR Ye Be Be Se Se ee Be Be Be eo WA A PB OH se So we IY DR mA BW BW ee oS [To comply with Department 503's rule regarding tentative rulings, you must email the Court notice if you wish to contest the tentative ruling at the following email address: contestasbestostr@sftc.org. A copy of any email notification to Department 503 must also be sent to our firm at contestasbestostr@braytonlaw.com.] Kaiju 108-7 Copp BELLPR wpe 12 JA PLAINTIFFS' MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.S. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT222 RUSH LANDING ROAD PO BOX 6169 NOVATO, CALIFORNIA 94948-6169 BRAYTON@PURCELL LLP ATTORNEYS AT LAW (415) 898-1553 27 28 PROOF OF SERVICE BY LEXIS-NEXIS E-SERVICE lam employed in the County of Marin, State of California. | am over the age of 18 years and am not a party to the within action. My business address is 222 Rush Landing Road, P.O. Box 6169, Novato, California, 94948-6169. On Ue ws 13 I electronically served (E-Service), pursuant to General Order No. 158, the following documents: PLAINTIFFS’ MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT; DECLARATION OF JENNIFER L. ALESIO IN SUPPORT OF PLAINTIFFS’ OPPOSITION TO BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT; PLAINTIFE’S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS; PLAINTIFFS' SEPARATE STATEMENT OF DISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS IN OPPOSITION TO DEFENDANT BELL PRODUCTS INC.’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT; PLAINTIFFS' EVIDENTIARY OBJECTIONS TO on the interested parties in this action by causing Lexis-Nexis E-service program pursuant to General Order No. 158, to transmit a true copy thereof to the following party(ies): SEE ATTACHED SERVICE LIST The above document was transmitted by Lexis-Nexis E-Service and the transmission was reported as complete and without error. Executed on 4.95 SB vat Novato, California. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Angela erfiel Robert Ross and Jean Ross v. C.C. Moore & Co. Engineers, et al, San Francisco Superior Court Case No. CGC-10-275731 PROOF OF SERVICE BY E-SERVICEDate Created: 4/22/2013-1:44:25 PM (AAP) Brayton-Purcell Service List Created by: LitSupport ~ ServiceList - Reporting Matter Number: Adams Nye Becht LLP 222 Kearny Street, Seventh Floor San Francisco, CA 94108 415-982-8955 415-982-2042 (fax) Defendants: Pribuss Engineering, Inc. (PRIBUS) Becherer, Kannett & Schweitzer Water Tower 1255 Powell Street Emeryville, CA 94608-2604 510-658-3600 510-658-1151 (fax) Defendants: CSK Auto, inc. (CSKAUT) Johnson Controls, Inc. (OHCON) Bishop, Barry, Drath Watergate Tower HI 2006 Powell Street, Suite 1425 Emeryville, CA 94608 510-596-0888 | $10-596-0899 (fax) Defendants: Foley Electric Co. (FOLELE) Buty & Curliano 555° - 12” Street, Suite 1280 Oakland, CA 94607 510-267-3000 510-267-0117 (fax) Defendants: Critchfieid Mechanical, Inc. (CRIMEC) Harold Beasley Plumbing and Heating, Inc. (BEASLY) $.J. Amoroso Construction Co,, Inc. (AMOCON) Foley & Mansfield PLLP 300 Lakeside Drive, Suite 1900 Oakland, CA 94612 510-590-9500 510-590-9595 (fax) Defendants: Acco Engineered Systems, Inc. (ACCHEA) D.W., Nicholson Corporation (DWNICH) Fluor Corporation (FLUOR. kone Star Industries, Inc. (UNSTR) aay Interior Systems-North len Mulder Sheet Metal, Inc, (VANMSM) 19349.004 - Robert Ross Archer Norris P.O. Box 8035 2033 N. Main Street, puite 800 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925-930-6600 925-930-6620 (fax) Defendants: Albay Construction Company (ALBAY) Cahill Construction Co., Inc. (CAHILC) Cahill Contractors, Inc. (CAHILL) Cupertino Electric, Inc. (CUPELE) Bennett, Samuelsen, Reynolds & Allard 1301 Marina Village Parkway Suite 300 Alameda, CA 94501-1084 510-444-7688 510-444-5849 (fax) Defendants: Slakey Brothers, Inc. (SLAKEY) Br Brydon Hugo & Parker Main Street, 20° Floor Sen Francisco, CA 941 415-808-0300 415- 208. 0533 (fax) Defendants: A. Teichert & Son, Inc. {a TEICH) Bayer Cropscience Inc. BAyeRO) Domco Products Texas, L.P. (DOMCO) Perini Corporation (PERCOR;} Rountree Plumbing & Heating Inc. (RNTPLU) Swinerton Builders (SWINBU) Cooley Manion Jones, LLP 201 Spear Street Suite 1800 San Francisco, CA 941 415-512-4381 415-: 312. "6791 (fax) Defendants: Temporary Plant Cleaners, Inc. (TEMPLA) Gordon & Rees LLP Shari Weintraub, Esq. 101 West Broadway, is Floor San Die; oB0, C 619-69 B00. 619-696-7124 (fax) Defendants: Marshco Auto Parts, Inc. (MARAPI) Run By : Porterfield, Angela Bassi, Edlin, Huie & Blum LLP 500 Washington Street Suite 700 San Francisco, CA 94111 415-397-9006 415-397-1339 (fax) Defendants: Balliet Bros. Construction Corporation (BALBRO) LT. Thorpe & Son, Inc. (THORPE) Malm Metal Products, Inc, (MALMSM) Berry & Berry P.O. Box 16071 2930 Lakeshore Avenue Oakland, CA 94610 510-835-8330 510-835-5117 (fax) Defendants: Berry & Berry (B&B) Burnham Brown 1901 Harrison pies, 14" Ploor Oakland, CA 94612 510-444-6800 510-835-6666 (fax) Defendants: California Drywall Co. (CALDRY) Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP 50 Fremont Street, 20° Floor San Francisco, CA 94105-2235 415-591-7500 415-591- -7510 (fax) Defendants: Pharmacia Corporation, which will do business in California as Pharmacia Pharmaceutical Corporation (PHARCA) Gordon & Rees LLP Embarcadero Center West 275 Battery Street, Suite 7000 San Francisco, CA 415-986-5900 ns. 38e- 's0s4 (fax) Defendants: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, The (GOODYR)Date Created: 4/22/2013-1:44:25 PM A. (AAP) Brayton-Purcell Service List Created by: LitSupport ~ ServiceList - Reporting Matter Number: Haas & Najarian, LLP 58 Maiden Second Floor San Francisco, CA 94108 415-788-6330 415-391-0555 (fax) Defendants: McClure Electric, Inc. (MCCLUR) Law Offices of Glaspy & Glaspy, Inc. One Walnut Creek Center 100 Pringle Avenue, Suite 750 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 925-947-1300 925-947-1594 (fax) Defendants: Fairmont Hote! Company (FAIRH) McInerney & Dillon, P.C. 1999 Harrison Street, "Suite 1700 Oakland, CA_ 94612 510-465-7100 510-465-8556 (fax) Defendants: Allied Fire Protection (ALLFIR) Selman Breitman LLP 33 New Montgomery 6" Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 415-979-0400 415-979-2099 (fax) Defendants: Rountree Piumbing & Heating Inc. (RNTPLU) Waisworth, Franklin, Bevins & McCall, LLP 601 Montgomery Street, 9" Floor San Francisco, CA 94111 415-781-7072 415-391-6258 (fax) Defendants: D. Zelinsky & Sons, Inc. (ZELINS) Duro Dyne Corporation (DURODN) 19349.004 - Robert Ross Hake Law, A Professional Corporation 655 Montgomery Street Suite 1000 San Francisco, CA 9411 415-926-5800 415- 26: "5801 (fax) Defendants: Advance Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (ADVMEC) Anderson, Rowe & Buckley, Inc: (AR&B) Belt Products Inc. (BELLPR) reget Investment Company, Inc. BRA Callins Blectrical Company, Inc. (COLEI 1 Emil J. Weber Electric Co. (EMILJW) Lew, Bail & Lynch $05 Montgomery Street, 7° Floor San Francisco, CA 94111-2584 415-981-6630 415-399-1506 (fax) Defendants: Pao Me & Co. (GIAMPO) Pacific Mechanical Corporation (PACMCR Perkins Coie LLP Four Embarcadero Genter, Suite 2400 San Francisco, CA 941 415-344-7000 415-: 344. 1050 (fax) Defendants: General Mills, Inc. (GMILLS) Sinunu Bruni LLP 333 Pine Street, Suite 400 San Francisco, CA 94104 415-362-9700 415-362-9707 (fax) Defendants: McClure Electric, Inc. (MCCLUR) Run By : Porterfield, Angela Imai, Tadlock, Keeney & Cordery, LLP 100 Bush Street, Suite 1300 San Francisco, CA 94104 415-675-7000 415-675-7008 (fax) Defendants: Clausen-Patten, Inc. (CLSNPT) Commair Mechanical Services (COMMAR; Henry C. Beck Company (HCBECK) Webcor Builders, Inc. (WEBCOR) McDowall Cotter, A.P,C, 2070 Pioneer Court San Mateo, CA 94403 650-572-7933 650-572-0834 (fax) Defendants: Beta Mechanical Contractors, Limited (BETAMC) Prindle, Amaro, Goetz, Hillyard, Barnes & Reinholtz LLP One California queet, Suite 1910 San Francisco, CA 94111 415-788-8354 415-788-3625 (fax) Defendants: JW. McClenahan Company, Inc, GWMCCL) Red Ee) Electric Co. Emeryville, Inc. (REDEL! Sweeney, Mason, Wilson & Bosomworth A Professional Law Corporation 983 University Ave,, Suite 104C Los Gatos, CA 95032-7637 408-356-3000 408-354-8839 (fax) Defendants: Red ee) Electric Co. Emeryville, Inc. (REDEL