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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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~ nis wo Edward R. Hugo [Bar No. 124839] P.M. Bessette [Bar No. 127588] BRYDON HUGO & PARKER 135 Main Street, 20 Floor ELECTRONICALLY San Francisco, California 94105 FILED Telephone: (415) 808-0300 Superior Court of California, Facsimile: (415) 808-0333 County of San Francisco Email: seryice@bhplaw.com MAY 11 2012 Clerk of the Court Attorneys for Defendant BY WUDITH ae epuly Clerk PERINT CORPORATION SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO ROBERT ROSS and JEAN ROSS, (ASBESTOS) SFSC No. CGC-10-275731 Plaintiffs, ANSWER OF PERINI CORPORATION vs. TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY C.C. MOORE & CO. ENGINEERS, et al., | AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS Defendants. COMES NOW Defendant PERINI CORPORATION (“PERINI” or “Defendant”) denying liability for itself and any alternate entities named in the complaint, and answers Plaintiffs’ Third Amended Complaint for Personal Injury and Loss of Consortium — Asbestos (hereinafter the “Complaint”) on file as follows (it is to be noted that on May 8, 2012, the Court denied Plaintiffs’ motion to file a Third Amended Complaint as to the proposed claim based on the May 2009 asbestosis diagnosis as plaintiff Robert Ross had a prior action based on that claim, and granted all other aspects of Plaintiffs’ motion): GENERAL DENIAL Under the provisions of Section 431.30(d), California Code of Civil Procedure, this answering defendant denies each and every allegation of Plaintiffs’ Complaint and the whole thereof, and denies that plaintiff has been damaged in any sum or amount whatsoever, or at all, and denies that plaintiff is entitled to recover damages of any <1 ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR | ( | { { | kind in any amount whatsoever from PERINI. PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS |~ nis wo RESERVATION OF RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY PERINI reserves the right to a trial by jury. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Failure to State a Cause of Action This answering defendant alleges that Plaintiffs’ Complaint and each of the causes of action for relief alleged therein, fails to state a cause of action against this answering defendant. SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Contravention of Defendant's Constitutional Rights to Due Process of Law The Complaint and each cause of action thereof, which is admittedly based upon a lack of identification of the manufacturer of, and contractor using or distributing the alleged injury-causing product, fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action in that plaintiff has asserted a claim for relief which, if granted, would contravene defendant's constitutional rights to substantive and procedural due process of law as preserved for defendant by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and by Article L, Section 7, of the Constitution of the State of California. THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Denial of Defendant's Constitutional Rights to Equal Protection of the Laws The Complaint, and each cause of action thereof, fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action in that plaintiff has asserted claims for relief which, if granted, would constitute a denial by this Court of defendant's constitutional right to equal protection of the laws as preserved by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and by Article I, Section 7, of the Constitution of the State of California. FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Unconstitutional Taking of Private Property for Public Use Without Just Compensation The Complaint, and each cause of action thereof, which is admittedly based upon a lack of identification of the manufacturer, and contractor using or distributing the -2- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS~ nis wo alleged injury-causing product, fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action in that plaintiff has asserted claims for relief which, if granted, would constitute the taking of private property for public use without just compensation in contravention of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and by Article I, Section 7 and 19, of the Constitution of the State of California, and the applicable California statutes. FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Comparative Fault This answering defendant alleges that the damages, if any, complained of by plaintiff, were proximately caused by the negligence, fault, breach of contract and/or strict liability of plaintiff or other defendants, firms, persons, corporations, unions, employers and entities other than PERINI, and that said negligence, fault, breach of contract and/or strict liability comparatively reduces the percentage of any negligence, fault, breach of contract or strict liability for which PERINI is legally responsible, if any be found, which liability this defendant expressly denies. Further, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff did not exercise ordinary care, caution or prudence to avoid the incidents complained of herein, and said incidents and the injuries and damages, if any, sustained by plaintiff, were directly and proximately caused and contributed to by the carelessness and negligence of said plaintiff. SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Contributory Negligence This answering defendant alleges that plaintiff did not exercise ordinary care, caution or prudence to avoid the incidents complained of herein, and said incidents and the injuries and damages, if any, sustained by plaintiff, were directly and proximately caused and contributed to by the carelessness and negligence of said plaintiff. 3- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS | | | | | | |~ nis wo SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Uncertainty This answering defendant alleges that Plaintiffs’ Complaint and all purported causes of action therein are vague, ambiguous and uncertain, and fail to state a cause of action on any theory. EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Laches This answering defendant alleges that plaintiff unreasonably delayed in bringing this action and that such delay substantially prejudiced defendant, and that this action is therefore barred by the Doctrine of Laches. NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Statute of Limitations This answering defendant alleges that Plaintiffs’ Complaint and the purported causes of action therein are barred by all statutes of limitation, including, but not limited to, the provisions of California Code of Civil Procedure §§ 338, 338.1, 339(1), 340, 340(3) and 340.2, 343, 352, 366.1, 366.2 and California Commercial Code § 2725. Plaintiffs’ claims are further barred by the statute of limitations of states other than California pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure § 361. TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Failure to Mitigate This answering defendant alleges that plaintiff failed to mitigate damages which plaintiff contends he suffered, and plaintiff is therefore barred from any recovery whatsoever, or alternatively, any damages found must be reduced in proportion to such failure to mitigate. ELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Estoppel This answering defendant alleges that as a result of the acts, conduct and/or omissions of plaintiff and his agents, or any of them, and each cause of action presented -4- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS~ nis wo therein, is barred under the Doctrine of Estoppel. TWELETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Waiver This answering defendant alleges that plaintiff, by his acts, conduct and omissions, has waived the claims alleged in his Complaint and in each purported cause of action alleged therein. THIRTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Acquiescence Plaintiff acknowledged, ratified, consented to, and acquiesced in the alleged acts or omissions, if any, of this answering defendant, thus barring plaintiff from any relief as prayed for herein. FOURTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Notice of Dangers Plaintiff was advised, informed, and warned of any potential hazards and/or dangers, if there were any, associated with the normal or foreseeable use, handling, storage and in place asbestos of the products, substances, equipment and at premises in which exposure is claimed as is described in the Complaint and is therefore barred from any relief prayed for. FIFTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Compliance with Statutes This answering defendant alleges that all of its conduct and activities as alleged in the Plaintiffs’ Complaint conformed to statutes, government regulations, and industry standards based upon the state of knowledge existing at al! relevant times. SIXTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Compliance with Specifications This answering defendant alleges that the asbestos products or asbestos used or in place at any premises, if any, for which PERINI had any legal responsibility, were manufactured, packaged, distributed or sold in accordance with contract specifications | 5. ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS~ nis wo imposed by its co-defendants, by the U.S. Government, by the State of California, by plaintiff's employers, or by third parties yet to be identified. SEVENTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE No Conspiracy This answering defendant alleges that PERINI has no liability for the acts, omissions or otherwise of any other defendant or entity because PERINI did not become legally responsible for the acts of any such defendant, nor entity, by any communication, alleged, implied, or actual, nor act, action, or activity, and never was, nor is, a conspirator nor co-conspirator with any other defendant or entity. EIGHTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE State-of-the-Art This answering defendant alleges that all of its activities, products, materials and its premises at issue here at all times were conducted, used, produced, marketed, and operated in conformity with the existing scientific, medical industrial hygiene and consumer knowledge, art and practice and state-of-the-art. NINETEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE No Foreseeable Risk to Plaintiff The state of the medical, scientific, and industrial knowledge and practice was at all material times such that defendant neither breached any alleged duty owed plaintiff, nor knew, nor could have known, that its activities, materials, products, activities or premises presented a foreseeable risk of harm to plaintiff in the normal and expected course of such activities and use of such materials and products. TWENTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE No Right to Control This answering defendant alleges that any loss, injury, or damage incurred by Plaintiff was proximately and legally caused by the negligent or willful acts or omissions of parties which PERINI neither controlled, nor had the right to control, and was not proximately caused by any acts, omissions, or other conduct of PERINI. ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS | | | ‘~ nis wo TWENTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Action for Relief This answering defendant alleges the causes of action, if any, attempted to be stated and set forth in the Complaint, are barred by the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure of the State of California and/or other statutes of the State of California, including without limitation C.C.P. § 338(d). TWENTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Misuse and Improper Use of Products This answering defendant alleges that if the plaintiff allegedly suffered injuries attributable to the disturbance or use of any product for which PERINI had any legal responsibility, which allegations are expressly herein denied, the injuries were solely caused by, and attributable to the unreasonable, unforeseeable, and inappropriate purpose and improper use and abuse which was made of said product by persons or entities other than PERINI. TWENTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Due Care and Diligence This answering defendant alleges that PERINI exercised due care and diligence in all of the matters alleged in the Complaint, and no act or omission by PERINI was the proximate cause of any damage, injury or loss to plaintiff. TWENTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Alteration and Misuse of Product This answering defendant alleges that an insubstantial amount, if any at all, of the products containing asbestos distributed, used, supplied by defendant or used or in place at any premises owned or controlled by defendant, were not disturbed or used in the presence of plaintiff and not supplied to the plaintiff, and if so, were substantially altered by others and/or used in a manner inconsistent with the labeled directions. 7- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS | | | |~ nis wo TWENTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Equal or Greater Knowledge of Hazards This answering defendant alleges that any and all products containing asbestos used, distributed or supplied by defendant were distributed or supplied to, or for, persons or entities who had knowledge with respect to the hazards, if any, resulting from exposure to products containing asbestos, which knowledge is equal to or greater than the knowledge of PERINI. TWENTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Other Parties’ Liability and Negligence This answering defendant alleges that if there was any negligence or any other form of liability on the part of any of the parties named herein, it was the sole and exclusive negligence and liability of the other persons or entities and not of PERINL TWENTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Apportionment and Offset This answering defendant is informed and believes and thereon alleges that plaintiff's acts and omissions, including plaintiff's agents, servants, and employees acting within the course and scope of their employment, and others, contributed to the alleged damages, injury, or loss, if any, sustained by plaintiff. Defendant requests that the Court apply the principles of apportionment and offset so as to permit the Court or jury to apportion liability according to fault and to grant defendant a corresponding offset against any damages awarded to plaintiff. TWENTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Contribution/Equitable Indemnity This answering defendant alleges, in the event it is held liable to Plaintiff, any such liability is expressly herein denied, and any other co-defendants are likewise held liable, PERINI is entitled to a percentage contribution of the total liability from said co- defendants in accordance with the principles of equitable indemnity and comparative contribution. -8- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS~ nis wo TWENTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Assumption of Risk by Plaintiff's Employer(s) This answering defendant alleges that the Complaint and each cause of action alleged therein are barred on the grounds that plaintiff's employer or employers knowingly entered into and engaged in the operations, acts and conduct alleged in the Complaint, and voluntarily and knowingly assumed all of the risks incident to said operations, acts and conduct at the time and place mentioned in the Complaint. THIRTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Assumption of Risk This answering defendant alleges plaintiff assumed the risk of the matters referred to in his Complaint and that plaintiff knew and appreciated the nature of the risk and that the plaintiff voluntarily accepted this risk. THIRTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE No Market Share This answering defendant alleges that PERINI did not have an appreciable share of the market for the asbestos-containing products which allegedly caused plaintiff's injuries, which occurrence PERINI expressly denies. Accordingly, PERINI may not be held liable to plaintiff based on its alleged share of the applicable product market. THIRTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff Fails to Join a Substantial Market Share The Complaint, and each cause of action thereof, fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against this answering defendant, in that defendant has failed to join a substantial market share of the producers or products to which plaintiff was allegedly exposed. THIRTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Insufficient Facts to Show Substantial Market Share of this Defendant wu. To the extent the Complaint asserts defendant's alleged “alternative,” “market share,” or “enterprise” liability, the Complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR i t | | 9- PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS~ nis wo cause of action against this defendant. THIRTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Independent, Intervening or Superseding Cause This answering defendant alleges that if plaintiff suffered any injuries attributable to the use of any product containing asbestos which was used, distributed or sold by defendant, which allegations are expressly denied herein, the injuries were solely caused by an unforeseeable, independent intervening and/or superseding event beyond the control and unrelated to any conduct of defendant. Defendant's actions, if any, were superseded by the negligence and wrongful conduct of others. THIRTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Not a Substantial Factor This answering defendant alleges that the Complaint and each cause of action therein presented are barred on the grounds that the products, conduct, materials or premises of defendant as referred to in Plaintiffs’ Complaint, if any, were not a substantial factor in bringing about the injuries and damages complained of by plaintiff and did not increase the risk that plaintiff would suffer the injuries and damages complained of. THIRTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Insufficient Exposure Any exposure of plaintiff to defendant’s activities, products or exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing products at PERINI’S premises was so minimal as to be insufficient to establish by a reasonable degree of probability that any such product caused any alleged injury, damage, or loss to plaintiff. THIRTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE No Successor Liability This answering defendant alleges that PERINI has no liability for the acts, omissions or otherwise of any other defendant or any other entity because PERINI did not become legally responsible for the acts of any such defendant or entity given the facts -10- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS~ nis wo and circumstances of the pertinent transactions and never was, nor is, a successor-in- interest, a successor-in-liability or an alternate entity for any other user, manufacturer, supplier, seller, distributor or premises holder relating to asbestos or asbestos-containing products. THIRTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Lack of Privity This answering defendant alleges that plaintiff has failed to state a cause of action in that the Complaint fails to allege that there was privity between defendant on the one hand, and plaintiff on the other, and furthermore, such privity did not exist between defendant on the one hand, and plaintiff on the other. THIRTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Secondary Assumption of Risk This answering defendant alleges that any and all products containing asbestos used, distributed or supplied by defendant were used, distributed or supplied to, or for, persons or entities who had knowledge with respect to the hazards, if any, resulting from exposure to products containing asbestos, which is equal to or greater than, the knowledge of PERINI, i.e. PERINI’S liability should be reduced in proportion to the knowledge of plaintiff. FORTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Civil Code Section 1431.2 This answering defendant alleges that the provisions of California Civil Code § 1431.2 (commonly referred to as “Proposition 51”) are applicable to Plaintiffs’ Complaint and to each cause of action therein. FORTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Workers’ Compensation Exclusive Remedy This answering defendant alleges that the Complaint is barred by the exclusivity provisions of the California Workers’ Compensation laws, including, but not limited to, California Labor Code §§ 3600, et seq. -1i- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS | | |~ nis wo Offset for Workers’ Compensation Benefits This answering defendant alleges that to the extent plaintiff herein recovered, or in the future may recover, any monies in connection with any claim for workers’ compensation benefits, any amounts recovered in this action are subject to a claim by defendant for a credit or offset. FORTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Express Contractual Indemnity This answering defendant alleges that if plaintiff claims exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing products at a PERINI premises, PERINI contracted with plaintiff and/or plaintiff's employer(s) for them to fully assume all responsibility for insuring plaintiff's safety, to guarantee that no hazardous condition existed, and/or to warn and protect against any such conditions, during the performance of plaintiff's work, and, further, to fully indemnify PERINI, and to hold PERINI harmless, for all responsibility and liability arising out of said work, and/or any injuries allegedly incurred by plaintiff as a result of any of said work. PERINI reserves all rights to assert these provisions of contractual indemnity. FORTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Consent This answering defendant alleges that at all times mentioned, plaintiff consented to the alleged acts or omissions of PERINI. FORTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Unusual Susceptibility This answering defendant alleges that each of plaintiff's injuries and damages, if any, were proximately caused or contributed to by plaintiff's unforeseeable idiosyncratic condition, unusual susceptibility, or hypersensitivity reactions for which PERINI is not liable. -12- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR FORTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE | | PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS |~ nis wo FORTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Good Faith This answering defendant alleges that Plaintiffs’ claim for punitive damages is barred because PERINI at all times and places mentioned in the Complaint acted reasonably and in good faith, and without malice or oppression towards the plaintiff. FORTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Sophisticated User This answering defendant alleges that PERINI was under no legal duty to warn plaintiff of the hazard associated with the use of products containing asbestos or their existence at any premises owned, operated, controlled or otherwise by PERINI. The purchasers of said products, the plaintiff, plaintiffs employers, his unions or certain third parties yet to be identified, were knowledgeable and sophisticated users and were in a better position to warn plaintiff of the risk associated with using products containing asbestos and, assuming a warning was required, it was the failure of such persons or entities to give such a warning that was the proximate and superseding cause of plaintiff's damages, if any. FORTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Work Hazard Precautions This answering defendant alleges that plaintiff's employer(s) was/were advised and warned of any potential hazards and/or dangers associated with the normal and foreseeable conduct with, or storage and disposal of the products referred to in the Complaint, in a manner which was adequate notice to an industrial user of such product to enable it to inform its employees to take appropriate work precautions to prevent injurious exposure. FORTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Failure to Join Indispensable Parties Plaintiff herein has failed to join indispensable parties (California Code of Civil Procedure, § 389) and the Complaint is thereby defective, and plaintiff is thereby -13- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS | | | | |~ nis wo precluded from any recovery whatsoever as prayed for herein. FIFTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE No Standing Under California Civil Code §§ 1708-1710 Plaintiff has no standing nor right to sue for fraud and conspiracy, breach of warranty, deceit, or any cause of action under California Civil Code, §§ 1708-1710, and therefore the Complaint and each cause of action thereof fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against this answering defendant. FIFTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff is not a Real Party in Interest Plaintiff, and each of them, herein lacks legal capacity to sue and is not a real party in interest and is thereby precluded from any recovery whatsoever as prayed for herein. FIFTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Fraud and Conspiracy are Not Separate Forms of Damages Fraud and conspiracy do not constitute a separate and distinct form of damages from general damages, and, therefore, the prayer for fraud and conspiracy in addition to general damages does not sufficiently support or constitute a separate claim for damages against this answering defendant, but is simply cumulative and included in general damages. FIFTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Failure to Allege with Particularity This answering defendant alleges that Plaintiffs’ Complaint fails to set out its claims with sufficient particularity to permit defendant to raise all appropriate defenses and, thus, defendant reserves the right to add additional defenses as the factual basis for these claims becomes known. FIFTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Negligent Hiring Claim Invalid An employee of an independent contractor may not pursue a claim for negligent hiring against a hirer of the independent contractor. See Camargo v. Tjaarde Dairy, 25 Cal. -14- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS~ nis wo 4th 1235 (2001). FIFTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Right to Amend This defendant will assert any and all additional defenses that arise during the course of this litigation and reserves the right to amend its answer to assert such defenses. FIFTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Alternate Unknown Cause The alleged injuries and damages, if any, may be in whole or in part due to injury, disease or cause other than as alleged. FIFTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE No Concert of Action There is no concert of action between defendant and any of the other named defendants. Defendants are not joint tortfeasors and accordingly, defendant may not be held jointly and severally liable with the other named defendants. -15- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |~ nis wo PRAYER WHEREFORE, this answering defendant prays for judgment as follows: 1 That Plaintiffs take nothing by reason of their Complaint or any claims stated therein; 2. That Plaintiffs’ Complaint and each cause of action contained therein be dismissed with prejudice against PERINI; 3. For costs of suit; and 4. For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and appropriate in the circumstances. DATED: May 11, 2012 BRYDON HUGO & PARKER By:__/s/ Edward R. Hugo _ Edward R. Hugo Attorneys for Defendant PERINI CORPORATION -16- ANSWER OF PERIN] CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOSCS eNO wm BR Ww Ross, Robert & Jean San Francisco County Superior Court Case No. CGC-10-275731 LexisNexis Transaction No. 44213489 PROOF OF SERVICE lam a resident of the State of California, over the age of 18 years, and not a party to the within action. My electronic notification address is service@bhplaw.com and my business address is 135 Main Street, 20% Floor, San Francisco, California 94105. On the date below, I served the following: ANSWER OF PERINI CORPORATION TO PLAINTIFFS’ THIRD AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY AND LOSS OF CONSORTIUM - ASBESTOS on the following: BRAYTON PURCELL LLP 222 Rush Landing Road Novato, CA 9494 Fax: (415) 898-1247 LexisNexis Electronic Service list X By transmitting electronically the documeni(s) listed above as set forth on the electronic service list on this date before 5:00 p.m. o By placing the document(s) listed above in a sealed envelope and placing the envelope for collection and mailing on the date below tollowing the firm’s ordinary business practices. | am readily familiar with the firm’s practice of collection and processing correspondence for mailing. Under that practice it would be deposited with U.S. Postal service on the same day with postage thereon fully prepaid at San Francisco, California in the ordinary course of business. | am aware that on motion of party served, service is presumed invalid if postal cancellation date or postage meter date is more than one day after date of deposit for mailing in affidavit. 9 By placing the document(s) listed above in a sealed envelope designated for Federal Express overnight delivery and depositing same with fees thereupon prepaid, in a facility regularly maintained by Federal Express, addressed as set forth above. o By causing personal delivery of the document(s) listed above to the person(s) at the address(es) set forth above. I declare under penalty of perjury that the above is true and correct. Executed on May 11, 2012, at San Francisco, California. Warde V. CLaudio Wanda D. Claudio PROOF OF SERVICE