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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
						
                                

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BRAYTON*PURCELL LLP Co em 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 sopehr IL EDP 5 Rush Fanding Road 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 Exhibit H, Exhibit I; attached to the Summary Complaint herein; and DOES 1-8500. ROBERT ROSS and JEAN ROSS, ) ASBESTOS ) No, CGC-10-275731 Plaintiffs, ) ) PLAINTIFF’S RESPONSE TO vs. ) DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & ) BUCKLEY, INC.’S SEPARATE C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS; ) STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED Defendants as Reflected on Exhibit |, } MATERIAL FACTS ) ) 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 Plaintiff hereby submits the following responses to defendant ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, INC.’s Separate Statement of Undisputed Facts in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment, with reference to plaintiffs supporting evidence disputing such statements. UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTS AND ALLEGED SUPPORTING EVIDENCE PLAINTIFF’S RESPONSE/EVIDENCE 1. Plaintiffs filed a Third Amended 1. Undisputed. Complaint on May 11, 2012, wherein Plaintiffs claim Plaintiff Robert Ross (“ROSS”) had been diagnosed with colon cancer and that the cancer was caused by his alleged exposure to asbestos attributable to the defendants named herein. Supporting Evidence: Plaintiffs’ Third Amended Complaint filed May 11, 2012, attached as Exhibit B to the Declaration of Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd 1 PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLBY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 Melissa D. Ippolito, Esq. (hereinafter referred to as “Decl. of Ippolito”). 2. The Third Amended Complaint alleges the following causes of action against this defendant: Negligence, Strict Liability, Loss of Consortium and Premises Owner/Contractor Liability. Supporting Evidence: Plaintiffs’ Third Amended Complaint filed May 11, 2012, attached as Exhibit B to the Decl. of Ippolito. 3. Defendant answered the Third Amended Complaint with a general denial and asserted affirmative defenses. Supporting Evidence: Defendant’s Answer to the Third Amended Complaint, attached as Exhibit C to the Decl. of Ippolito. 4. Plaintiffs dismissed the cause of action for Strict Liability. Supporting Evidence: Request for Dismissal, attached as Exhibit D to the Decl. of Ippolito. 5. Plaintiffs sought leave of court to add an asbestosis claim when filing the Third Amended Complaint; the court rejected the asbestosis claim as that claim was included in a prior lawsuit adjudicated in this same court. Supporting Evidence: Notice of Entry of Order Granting in part and Denying in part Leave to File Third Amended Complaint, filed on May 11, 2012, attached as Exhibit A to the Decl. of Ippolito; and Order Granting Defendant Temporary Plant Cleaners, Inc.’s Motion to Strike Portions of Plaintiff's Third Amended Complaint, attached as Exhibit E to the Decl. of Ippolito. 6. Upon review and staining of pathology slides, Dr. Sheibani confirmed ROSS’s diagnosis of invasive adenocarcinoma of the colon, which had originated from a pre- existing benign polyp. Supporting Evidence: Declaration of Khalil Sheibani, M.D. at 2:22-24. Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd 2 2, Undisputed. 3. Undisputed. 4. Undisputed. 5, Undisputed. 6. Disputed. This testimony is vague, lacks foundation and competence, is speculative, irrelevant, and immaterial. (Evid. Code §§ 210, 350, 403, 405, and 702.) It is not enough for the declarant simply to state that he has personal knowledge of the facts stated. Rather, the declaration itself must contain facts showing the declaration’s PLAINTIFF'S MATERIAL FACTS ESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTEDCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 7. Dr. Sheibani is of the opinion that there is no casual relationship between colorectal polyps and asbestos exposure, and there is no increased risk of colorectal polyps in individuals who have been exposed to asbestos. Supporting Evidence: Declaration of Khalil Shetbani, M.D. at 3:3-5. Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd connection with the matters stated therein, thereby establishing the source of his or her information. Otherwise, the declarant’s testimony that he or she has such Knowledge is purely a conclusion. Osmond v. EWAP, Inc. (1984) 153 Cal_App.3d 842, 851; Brown & Weil, Calif. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group) ¥ 9:59, ch. 91-B; and Evid. Code § 702.) This statement is irrelevant to the issue at hand of whether or not asbestos contributed to cause colon cancer in an individual such as Mr. Ross who has evidence of individual susceptibility to asbestos exposure given the radiographic findings of plusral plaques and the clinical diagnosis of asbestosis. Dr. Sheibani does not cite a single paper, report, publication or other work that he has undertaken. that provides a basis for his conclusion stated in this paragraph. However, 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. Declaration of David Schwartz, M.D., attached as Exhibit A to the Alesio Declaration, at € 9, 7. Undisputed that this is Dr. Sheibani’s “opinion. ” Disputed as to the content of his opinion. This testimony is vague, lacks foundation and competence, is speculative, irrelevant, and immaterial. (Evid. Code §§ 210, 350, 403, 405, and 702.) It is not enough for the declarant simply to state that he has personal knowledge of the facts stated. Rather, the declaration itself must contain facts showing the declaration’s connection with the matters stated therein, thereby establishing the source of his or her information. Otherwise, the declarant’s testimony that he or she has such knowledge is purely a conclusion. (Osmond v. EWAP, Inc. (1984) PLAINTIFF'S MATERIAL FACTS ESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTEDCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 8. Dr. Sheibani found no evidence of asbestos bodies in ROSS’s colon tissue. Supporting Evidence: Declaration of Khalil Shetbani, M.D, at 3:14-15, 9. Dr. Sheibani opines, based on the established scientific facts in medical literature, his experience and research in the field of oncologic pathology, and objective findings in the histologic sections prepared from ROSS’s colon tissue that showed transformation of benign polyp to cancer, as well as the absence of asbestos bodies, that to a reasonable degree of medical. certainty ROSS’s colon cancer originated from a pre- existing polyp and the polyp is the cause of the cancer. Supporting Evidence: Declaration of Khalil Shetbani, M.D. at 3:16-22. Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd 153 Cal.App.3d 842, 851; Brown & Weil, Calif. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group) ¥ 9:59, ch. 91-B; and Evid. Code § 702.) This statement is irrelevant to the issue at hand of whether or not asbestos contributed to cause colon cancer in an individual such as Mr. Ross who has evidence of individual susceptibility to asbestos exposure given the radiographic findings of plucral plaques and the clinical diagnosis of asbestosis. Dr. Sheibani does not cite a single paper, report, publication or other work that he has undertaken. that provides a basis for his conclusion stated in this paragraph. However, 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. Declaration of David Schwartz, M.D., attached as Exhibit A to the Alesio Declaration, at € 9. 8. Undisputed. 9. Undisputed that this is Dr. Sheibani’s “opinion. ” Disputed as to the content of his opinion. This testimony is vague, lacks foundation and competence, is speculative, irrelevant, and immaterial. (Evid. Code §§ 210, 350, 403, 405, and 702.) It is not enough for the declarant simply to state that he has personal knowledge of the facts stated. Rather, the declaration itself must contain facts showing the declaration’s connection with the matters stated therein, thereby establishing the source of his or her information. Otherwise, the declarant’s testimony that he or she has such knowledge is purely a conclusion. (Osmond v. EWAP, Inc. (1984) 4 PLAINTIFF'S MATERIAL FACTS ESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTEDCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 10. Dr. Sheibani also opines that the cause of ROSS’s colon cancer is unrelated to any alleged asbestos exposure. Supporting Evidence: Declaration of Khalil Sheibani, M.D. at 3:22-24. Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd 153 Cal.App.3d 842, 851; Brown & Weil, Calif. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group) § 9:59, ch. 91-B; and Evid. Code § 702.) Dr. Sheibani pronounces that it is “scientifically reasonable” to apply one diagnostic criteria 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 finding to asbestos bodies in lung tissue, the causal relationship between between lung cancer and asbestos may be linked by the presence of asbestosis in the affected individual or, in the absence of asbestosis or pathologie evidence, a history or exposures to asbestos in excess of 25 ‘cc years. Consensus Report: Asbestos. Asbestosis, ‘and cancer: The Helsinki criteria for diagnosis and attribution, Scand J. Work Environ Health, 1997;23:311-6. Dr. Sheibani does not cite a single paper, report, publication or other work that he has undertaken that provides a basis for his conclusion stated in this paragraph which amounts to a summary of his earlier unsupported conclusions combined to reach an even more tenuously supported conclusion that plainly has no foundational support in this declaration. However, 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. Declaration of David Schwartz, M.D., attached as Exhibit A to the Alesio Declaration, at 9. 10. Undisputed that this is Dr. Sheibani’s “opinion. ” Disputed as to the content of his opinion. This testimony is vague, lacks foundation and competence, is speculative, irrelevant, PLAINTIFF'S MATERIAL FACTS ESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTEDCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 and immaterial. (Evid. Code §§ 210, 350, 403, 405, and 702.) It is not enough for the declarant simply to state that he has personal knowledge of the facts stated. Rather, the declaration itself must contain facts showing the declaration’s connection with the matters stated therein, thereby establishing the source of his or her information. Otherwise, the declarant’s testimony that he or she has such knowledge is purely a conclusion. Osmond v. EWAP, Ine. (1984) 153 Cal.App.3d 842, 851; Brown & Weil, Calif, Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group) § 9:59, ch. 91-B; and Evid. Code § 702.) Dr. Sheibani pronounces that it is “scientifically reasonable” to apply one diagnostic criteria 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 finding to asbestos bodies in lung tissue, the causal relationship between 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 oxcess of 25 ‘ce years. Consensus Report: Asbestos. Asbestosis, and cancer: The Helsinki criteria for diagnosis and attribution, Scand J. Work Environ Health, 1997;23:311-6. Dr. Sheibani does not cite a single paper, report, publication or other work that e has undertaken that provides a basis for his conclusion stated in this paragraph which amounts to a summary of his earlier unsupported conclusions combined to reach an even more tenuously supported conclusion that plainly has no foundational support in this declaration However, 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, Kinjud 9247 pldess ARK Bop 6 PLAINTIFT’S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, ING.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCO 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 11. Dr. Morgan opines that to a degree of medical and scientific certainty, the evidence does not support a relationship or casual connecti on between asbestos exposure and colon cancer. Supporting Evidence: Declaration of Robert W. Morgan, M.D. at 4:1-2. Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd including Mr. Ross’s asbestos induced colon cancer. Declaration of David Schwartz, M.D., attached as Exhibit A to the Alesio Declaration, at § 9. 11. Disputed. This testimony is vague, lacks foundation and competence, is speculative, irrelevant, and immaterial. (Evid. Code §§ 210, 350, 403, 405, and 702.) It is not enough for the declarant simply to state that he has personal knowledge of the facts stated. Rather, the declaration itself must contain facts showing the declaration’s connection with the matters stated therein, thereby establishing the source of his or her information, Otherwise, the declarant’s testimony that he or she has such knowledge is purely a conclusion. Osmond v. EWAP, Inc, (1984) I al.App. + 81; Brown & Weil, Calif. Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group) § 9:59, ch. SI-B; and Evid. Code § 702.) It is not at all clear from this statement what “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 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 Docter’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” PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLBY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCO 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 Deposition of Robert Morgan, taken on Noy. 7, 2007, pg 32:4-11. As the Doctor, correctly notes above, causation is a great deal more than merely an assessment of risk, yet the Dr.’s conclusions contained in the instant declaration rely solely on risk assessment to derive his conclusion that colen cancer is not caused by asbestos exposure, Dr. Morgan did indeed author a “meta- analysis” regarding GI track cancers in the 1980s. However, the Doctor neglects to mention that this “analysis” was 1) rejected for publication by a prominent peer- reviewed epidemiological journal and 2) that this “analysis” was funded by attorney’s representing asbestos defendants in the amount of over $40,000. “Q. You mentioned that you published some articles; is that correct? A, Yes, Q. And out of that body of work, I think you said something like six or half a dozen, I think you described, had something to do with asbestos? A. Yes. Q. You're familiar with the peer-review process; are you not? A. Yes. Q. One of the journals to which you've submitted articles on asbestos was the British Journal of Industrial Medicine; isn't that correct? A. That's right. Q. That's a well-regarded journal in your field? A. Yes. Q. The article that you submitted was on gastrointestinal cancer as to whether that’s caused by asbestos; correct? A. Yes. K injured: 924 pess ARAB upd 8 PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLBY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 Q. You submitted that in the 1980s; correct? A. Correct. Q. I think it was October 10th of 1983; isn't that correct? A. Approximately. Q. And that article, by the way, concluded no link between GI cancer and asbestos; correct? A. That's right. Q. And the article was rejected in November of 1983; isn't that correct? A. Ldon't remember the date, but it was rejected. Q. And that article emanated from your research into the topic; did it not, Doctor? A. Yes. Q. And that research was funded by attorneys representing asbestos defendants; correct? A. Tt was. Q. And your company received about $40,000 at the time from those attorneys to conduct that project; correct? A. Somewhere about that.” Trial Testimony of Robert Morgan in the Phillip Hoeffer, Jr. matter (SFSC No. 413073) Vol. 15, Proceedings of November 24, 2003, at pgs. 1637:12-1638: 20. 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. KAlnjumdt924ipldiss ARB wpe 9 PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLBY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 Q. Are you an expert in the pathogenesis of asbestos disease? A. No.” Deposition of Robert Morgan, taken on Nov. 7, 2007, at pg 24:22- 25:1, in the matter of Jersey Gray vs. Allis-Chalmers. Corp. (SFSC 'No.274042). However, 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. Declaration of David Schwartz, M.D., attached as Exhibit A to the Alesio Declaration, at € 9. 12. Dr. Morgan further opines that 12. Disputed. This testimony is vague, asbestos exposure neither caused nor lacks foundation and competence, 1s contributed to ROSS’s cancer. speculative, irrelevant, and immaterial. (Evid. Code §§ 210, 350, 403, 405, and pupporting Evidence: Declaration of 702.) It is not enough for the declarant Robert W. Morgan, M.D. at 4:3-4. simply to state that he has personal knowledge of the facts stated. Rather, the declaration itself must contain facts showing the declaration’s connection with the matters stated therein, thereby establishing the source of his or her information. Otherwise, the declarant’s testimony that he or she has such knowledge is purely a conclusion. Osmond v. EWAP, Inc, (1984) 153 Cal. App.3d 842, 831; Brown & Weil, Calif, Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group) § 9:59, ch. SEB; and Evid. Code § 702.) It is not at all clear from this statement what “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 similarly mystifying as to what the reason would be for these unnamed and undescribed scientists and Kinjud 9247 pldess ARK Bop 10 PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLBY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCO 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 Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd “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 Nov. 7, 2007, pg 32:4-11. As the Doctor, correctly notes above, causation is a great deal more than merely an assessment of risk, yet the Dr.’s conclusions contained in the instant declaration rely solely on risk assessment to derive his conclusion that colon cancer is not caused by asbestos exposure. Dr. Morgan did indeed author a “meta- analysis” regarding GI track cancers in the 1980s. However, the Doctor neglects to mention that this “analysis” was 1) rejected for publication by a prominent peer- teviewed epidemiological journal and 2) that this “analysis” was funded by attorney’s representing asbestos defendants in the amount of over $40,000. “Q. You mentioned that you published some articles; is that correct? A. Yes. Q. And out of that body of work, I think you said something like six or half a dozen, I think you described, had something to do with asbestos? A. Yes. PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLBY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCO 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 Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd Q. You're familiar with the peer-review process; are you not? A. Yes. Q. One of the journals to which you've submitted articles on asbestos was the British Journal of Industrial Medicine; isn't that correct? A. That's right. Q. That's a well-regarded journal in your field? A. Yes. Q. The article that you submitted was on gastrointestinal cancer as to whether that's caused by asbestos; correct? A. Yes. Q. You submitted that in the 1980s; correct? A. Correct. Q. [think it was October 10th of 1983; isn't that correct’? A. Approximately. Q. And that article, by the way, concluded no link between GI cancer and asbestos; correct? A. That's right. Q. And the article was rejected in November of 1983; isn't that correct? A. E don't remember the date, but it was rejected. Q. And that article emanated from your research into the topic; did it not, Doctor? A. Yes. Q. And that research was funded by attorneys representing asbestos defendants; correct? PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLBY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 13. Dr. Morgan agrees with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (“10M”) that there is no causal relationship between asbestos and colorectal cancer. Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd A. Tt was. Q. And your company received about $40,000 at the time from those attorneys to conduct that project; correct? A. Somewhere about that.” Trial Testimony of Robert Morgan in the Phillip Hoeffer, Jr. matter (SFSC No. 413073) Vol. 15, Proceedings of November 24, 2003, at pgs. 1637:12-1638: 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 Nov. 7, 2007, at pg 24:22- 25:1, in the matter of Jersey Gray vs. Allis-Chalmers. Corp. (SFSC Ro STO. However, 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. Declaration of David Schwartz, M.D., attached as Exhibit A to the Alesio Declaration, at 9. 13. . Disputed. This testimony is vague, lacks foundation and competence, is speculative, irrelevant, and immaterial. (Evid. Code §§ 210, 350, 403, 405, and PLAINTIFF'S MATERIAL FACTS ESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTEDCO 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 Supporting Evidence: Declaration of Robert W. Morgan, M.D. at 3:20-21. Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd 702.) It is not enough for the declarant simply to state that he has personal knowledge of the facts stated. Rather, the declaration itself must contain facts showing the declaration’s connection with the matters stated therein, thereby establishing the source of his or her information. Otherwise, the declarant’s testimony that he or she has such knowledge is purely a conclusion. Osmond v. EWAP, Inc. (1984) 153 Cal_App.3 , 851; Brown & Weil, Calif, Practice Guide: Civil Procedure Before Trial (The Rutter Group) 4 9:59, ch. 91-B; and Evid. Code § 702.) It is not at all clear from this statement what “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 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 Docter’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 Nov. 7, 2007, pg 32:4-11. As the Doctor, correctly notes above, causation is a great deal more than merely an assessment of risk, yet the Dr.’s conclusions contained in the instant declaration rely solely on risk assessment to derive his conclusion that colon cancer is not caused by asbestos exposure. PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLBY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd Dr. Morgan did indeed author a “meta- analysis” regarding GI track cancers in the 1980s. However, the Doctor neglects to mention that this “analysis” was 1) rejected for publication by a prominent peer- reviewed epidemiological journal and 2) that this “analysis” was funded by attorney’s representing asbestos defendants in the amount of over $40,000. “Q. You mentioned that you published some articles; is that correct? A. Yes. Q. And out of that body of work, I think you said something like six or half a dozen, I think you described, had something to do with asbestos? A. Yes. Q. You're familiar with the peer-review process; are you not? A. Yes. Q. One of the journals to which you've submitted articles on asbestos was the British Journal of Industrial Medicine; isn't that correct? A. That's right. Q. That's a well-regarded journal in your field? A. Yes. Q. The article that you submitted was on gastrointestinal cancer as to whether that’s caused by asbestos; correct? A. Yes. Q. You submitted that in the 1980s; correct? A. Correct. Q. I think it was October 10th of 1983; isn't that correct? A. Approximately, PLAINTIFF'S MATERIAL FACTS ESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTEDCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 Q. And that article, by the way, concluded no link between GI cancer and asbestos; correct? A. That's right. Q. And the article was rejected in November of 1983; isn't that correct? A. E don't remember the date, but it was rejected. Q. And that article emanated from your research into the topic; did it not, Doctor? A. Yes. Q. And that research was funded by attorneys representing asbestos defendants; correct? A. It was. Q. And your company received about $40,000 at the time from those attorneys to conduct that project; correct? A. Somewhere about that.” Trial Testimony of Robert Morgan in the Phillip Hoeffer, Jr. matter (SFSC No. 413073) Vol. 15, Proceedings of November 24, 2003, at pgs. 1637:12-1638: 20. 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. Nov. 7, 2007, at pg 24:22- 25:1, in the matter of Jersey Gray vs. Allis-Chalmers. Corp. (SFSC No SO K injured: 924 pess ARAB upd 16 PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLBY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED MATERIAL FACTSCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 14. The IOM conducted an exhaustive review of scientific studies and tests on the issue and determined that there is not a sufficient scientific basis to support a designation of causality between asbestos exposure and colon cancer. Supporting Evidence: Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, National Academy of Sciences, Committee on Asbestos, Asbestos: Selected Cancers, Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2006, at pg. 10, attached as Exhibit D to the Declaration of Robert W. Morgan, M.D. 15. There are many causal factors for colon cancer that are not related, such as diet, Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd However, 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. Declaration of David Schwartz, M.D., attached as Exhibit A to the Alesio Declaration, at € 9. 4. . Disputed. The “supporting evidence” cited is hearsay without exception. Experts may properly rely on hearsay in forming thelr opmions in their Feld, but they may not relate the hearsay statements/findings of another as proof of facts. Korsak v. Atlas Hotels (1992) 2 Cal. App.4th 1516; Whithteld’v. Roth (1974) 10 Cal.3d 874; and Rodwin Metals, Inc. v. Western (1970) 10 Cal App.3d 219. Tn ort, Dr. Morgan (and, by extension, Dr. chwartz) may rely on enumerated ublications to arrive at his conclusions but ¢ publications themselves are hearsay without exception and are not themselves, independently admissible as evidence or to prove any fact as defendant apparently is attempting to do here. to ne. However, 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. Declaration of David Schwartz, M.D., attached as Exhibit A to the Alesio Declaration, at § 9. 15. Undisputed insofar as plaintiffs agree there are other factors which may also PLAINTIFF'S MATERIAL FACTS ESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTEDCo em YW KD hw BR YY 10 exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption. Supporting Evidence: Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, National Academy of Sciences, Committee on Asbestos, Asbestos: Selected Cancers, Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2006, at pg. 216, attached as Exhibit D to the Declaration of Robert W. Morgan, MLD. Dated: 04/25/2013 Knut 9246p lds ARK Bd contribute to cause colon cancer. Disputed insofar as defendant intends to suggest that these causes exclude or somehow protected Mr. Ross from the carcinogenic effects of asbestos. Additionally, the “supporting evidence” cited is hearsay without exception. Experts may properly rely on hearsay in forming their opinions in their field, but they may not relate the hearsay statements/findings of another as proof of facts. Korsak v. Atlas Hotels (1992) 2 Cal. App.4th 1516; Whithteld’v. Roth (1974) 10 Cal.3d 874; and Rodwin Metals, Inc. v. Western (1970) 10 Cal. App.3d 219. Tn short, Dr. Morgan (and, by extension, Dr. Schwartz) may rely on enumerated publications to arrive at his conclusions but the publications themselves are hearsay without exception and are not themselves, independently admissible as evidence or to prove any fact as defendant apparently is attempting to do here. However, cach 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, Declaration of David Schwartz, M.D., attached as Exhibit A to the Alesio Declaration, at € 9. BRAYTON%PURCELL LLP By: /s/ Jennifer L. Alisia Jennifer L. Alesio Attorneys for Plaintiffs PLAINTIFF'S MATERIAL FACTS ESPONSE TO DEFENDANT ANDERSON, ROWE & BUCKLEY, INC.’S SEPARATE STATEMENT OF UNDISPUTED