arrow left
arrow right
  • LAURANCE HAGEN VS. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF CALIFORNIA ASBESTOS document preview
  • LAURANCE HAGEN VS. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF CALIFORNIA ASBESTOS document preview
  • LAURANCE HAGEN VS. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF CALIFORNIA ASBESTOS document preview
  • LAURANCE HAGEN VS. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF CALIFORNIA ASBESTOS document preview
  • LAURANCE HAGEN VS. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF CALIFORNIA ASBESTOS document preview
  • LAURANCE HAGEN VS. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF CALIFORNIA ASBESTOS document preview
  • LAURANCE HAGEN VS. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF CALIFORNIA ASBESTOS document preview
  • LAURANCE HAGEN VS. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF CALIFORNIA ASBESTOS document preview
						
                                

Preview

~~ FRANK D. POND (BAR NO. 126191) KEVIN D. JAMISON(BAR NO. 222105) ARASH NEMATOLLAHI(BAR NO. 225306) ELECTRONICALLY POND NORTH LLP FILED 350 South Grand Avenue, Suite 3300 Superior Court of California, Los Angeles, CA 90071 County of San Francisco Telephone: (213) 617-6170 AUG 16 2010 Facsimile: (213) 623-3594 Clerk of the Court . BY: RAYMOND K. WONG Attorneys for Defendant CBS Corporation, a Deputy Clerk Delaware corporation, f/k/a Viacom Inc., successor by merger to CBS Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, f/k/a Westinghouse Electric Corporation. (sued as CBS Corporation (f/k/a Viacom Inc., f/k/a Westinghouse Electric Corporation)) SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNTA FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO LAURENCE HAGEN, Case No: CGC-10-275582 Plaintiff, ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY - ASBESTOS vs. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF Case Filed: June 2, 2010 CALIFORNIA; et al., Defendants. Defendant CBS Corporation, a Delaware corporation, f/k/a Viacom Inc., successor by merger to CBS Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, f/k/a Westinghouse Electric Corporation (sued as CBS Corporation (f/k/a Viacom Inc., f/k/a Westinghouse Electric Corporation)) (“Westinghouse”), answers Plaintiff's unverified Complaint on its own behalf and on behalf of no other defendant as follows: Pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 431.30(d), Westinghouse denies generally each and every allegation of the Complaint. FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Neither the Complaint nor any purported cause of action alleged by the Plaintiff therein states facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against Westinghouse. Hil 4520-3028:606902.1~~ SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE To the extent the Complaint asserts Westinghouse's alleged "market share" liability, or “enterprise liability,” the Complaint fails to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against Westinghouse. THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Neither the Complaint nor any purported cause of action alleged therein states facts sufficient to entitle Plaintiff to an award of punitive damages against Westinghouse, FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The imposition of any punitive damages in this matter would deprive Westinghouse of its property without due process of law under the California Constitution and United States Constitution. FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The imposition of any punitive damages in this matter would violate the United States Constitution's prohibition against laws impairing the obligation of contracts. SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The imposition of any punitive damages in this matter would constitute a criminal fine or penalty and should, therefore, be remitted on the ground that the award violates the United States Constitution. SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff’s action, and each alleged cause of action, is barred by the applicable statute of limitations, including but not limited to California Code of Civil Procedure, Sections 335.1, 338, 339, 340(3), 340.2, 343, 353, 366.1, 377.34 and 474 and California Commercial Code, Section 2725 and including any applicable statute of limitation and/or statute of repose of the state of Plaintiff's residence if not California. EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff unreasonably delayed in bringing this action, without good cause therefor, and thereby have prejudiced Westinghouse as a direct and proximate result of such delay; accordingly, this action is barred by laches. ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff was negligent in and about the matters alleged in the Complaint and in each alleged cause of action; this negligence proximately caused, in whole or in part, the damages alleged in the Complaint. In the event Plaintiff is entitled to any damages, the amount of these damages should be reduced by the comparative fault of Plaintiff and any person whose negligent acts or omissions are imputed to Plaintiff. TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff knowingly, voluntarily and unreasonably undertook to encounter each of the risks and hazards, if any, referred to in the Complaint and each alleged cause of action, and this undertaking proximately caused and contributed to any loss, injury or damages incurred by Plaintiff. ELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Any loss, injury or damages incurred by Plaintiff were proximately caused by the negligent or willful acts or omissions of parties whom Westinghouse neither controlled nor had the right to control, and was not proximately caused by any acts, omissions or other conduct of Westinghouse. TWELFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The products referred to in the Complaint were misused, abused or altered by Plaintiff or by others; the misuse, abuse or alteration was not reasonably foreseeable to Westinghouse, and proximately caused any loss, injury or damages incurred by Plaintiff. THIRTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that its products were manufactured, produced, supplied, sold and distributed in mandatory conformity with specifications promulgated by the United States Government under its war powers, as set forth in the United States Constitution, and that any recovery by Plaintiff on the Complaint on file herein is barred in consequence of the exercise of those sovereign powers. Mf Ul ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ FOURTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff failed to exercise due diligence to mitigate their loss, injury or damages; accordingly, the amount of damages to which Plaintiff is entitled, if any, should be reduced by the amount of damages which would have otherwise been mitigated. FIFTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over the matters alleged in the Complaint because the Complaint and each alleged cause of action against Westinghouse is barred by the provisions of California Labor Code, Section 3601, ef seg. SIXTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that at the time of the injuries alleged in the Complaint, Plaintiff was employed and they were entitled to receive Workers’ Compensation benefits from their employer; that Plaintiff's employer, other than Westinghouse, was negligent in and about the matters referred to in said Complaint, and that such negligence on the part of said employer proximately and concurrently contributed to the happening of the accident and to the loss or damage complained of by Plaintiff, if any there were, and that by reason thereof Westinghouse is entitled to set off any such benefits to be received by Plaintiff against any judgment which may be rendered in favor of Plaintiff. SEVENTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Discovery may show that at the time of the injuries alleged in the Complaint, Plaintiff was employed by and entitled to Workers' Compensation benefits from Westinghouse; such benefits constitute Plaintiff exclusive remedy pursuant to Labor Code section 3600 ef seq. EIGHTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that at the time of the injuries alleged in the Complaint, Plaintiffs employers were negligent in and about the matters referred to in said Complaint, and that such negligence on the part of said employers proximately and concurrently contributed to any loss or damage, including non-economic damages, complained of by Plaintiff, if any there were; and that Westinghouse is not liable for said employers’ proportionate share of non-economic damages. ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ NINETEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that at the time of the injuries alleged in the Complaint, parties other than Westinghouse were negligent in and about the matters referred to in said Complaint, and that such negligence on the part of said parties proximately and concurrently contributed to any loss or damage, including non-economic damages, complained of by Plaintiff, if any there were; and that Westinghouse herein shall not be liable for said parties' proportionate share of non-economic damages. TWENTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that at all times relevant to matters alleged in the Complaint, Plaintiff's employer was a sophisticated user of asbestos-containing products and the employer's negligence in providing the product to its employees in a negligent, careless and reckless manner is a superseding cause of Plaintiff's injuries. TWENTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Tf Plaintiff had received, or in the future may receive, Workers' Compensation benefits from Westinghouse under the Labor Code of the State of California as a consequence of the alleged industrial injury referred to in the Complaint, and in the event that Westinghouse is held liable to Plaintiff, any award against Westinghouse must be reduced in the amount of all such benefits received by Plaintiff. TWENTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE If Plaintiff had received, or in the future may receive, Workers' Compensation benefits from Westinghouse under the Labor Code of the State of California as a consequence of the alleged industrial injury referred to in the Complaint, and in the event Plaintiff is awarded damages against Westinghouse, Westinghouse claims a credit against this award to the extent that Westinghouse is barred from enforcing its rights to reimbursement for Workers’ Compensation benefits that Plaintiff has received or may in the future receive. TWENTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE if Plaintiff had received, or in the future may receive Workers' Compensation benefits from Westinghouse under the Labor Code of the State of California as a consequence of the 5 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ alleged industrial injury referred to in the Complaint, Westinghouse demands repayment of any such Workers' Compensation benefits in the event that Plaintiff recovers tort damages as a result of the industrial injury allegedly involved here. Although Westinghouse denies the validity of Plaintiff's claims, in the event those claims are held valid and not barred by the statute of limitations or otherwise, Westinghouse asserts that cross-demands for money have existed between Plaintiff and Westinghouse and the demands are compensated, so far as they equal each other, pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure Section 431.70. TWENTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE At all times and places in the Complaint, Plaintiff was not in privity of contract with Westinghouse and said lack of privity bars Plaintiffs recovery herein upon any theory of warranty. TWENTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff is barred from recovery in that all products produced by Westinghouse were in conformity with the existing state-of-the-art, and as a result, these products were not defective in any manner. TWENTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse did not and does not have a substantial percentage of the market for the asbestos-containing products which allegedly caused Plaintiffs injuries. Therefore, Westinghouse may not be held liable to Plaintiff based on Westinghouse’s alleged percentage share of the applicable market. TWENTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse denies any and all liability to the extent that Plaintiff asserts Westinghouse's alleged liability as a successor, successor in business, successor in product line or a portion thereof, assign, predecessor, predecessor in business, predecessor in product line or a portion thereof, parent, alter ego, equitable trustee, subsidiary, wholly or partially owned by, or the whole or partial owner of or member in an entity researching, studying, manufacturing, fabricating, designing, labeling, assembling, distributing, leasing, buying, offering for sale, selling, inspecting, servicing, installing, contracting for installation, repairing, marketing, 6 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ warranting, rebranding, manufacturing for others, packaging and/or advertising products which contain asbestos. TWENTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse had no knowledge that any of the alleged activities of which Plaintiff complains, and which allegedly were conducted on premises owned by Westinghouse, were unsafe or dangerous, and Westinghouse therefore did not have a duty to warn Plaintiff regarding any such alleged dangers. TWENTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that it was under no legal duty to warn Plaintiff of the hazards associated with the use of products containing asbestos. Westinghouse further alleges that the purchasers of said products, Plaintiff's employer/s, his union/s or certain third parties yet to be identified, were knowledgeable and sophisticated users and were in a better position to warn Plaintiff of the risks 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. THIRTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that no conduct by or attributable to it was the cause in fact or the proxunate cause of the damages, if any, suffered by Plaintiff, nor a substantial factor in bringing about said damages. THIRTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that its liability, if any, in this matter is extremely minor relative to the liability of various third parties and, therefore, the damages, if any, assessed against it should be proportionate to the degree, nature and extent of its fault. THIRTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff herein has failed to join indispensable parties and the complaint is thereby defective, and Plaintiff is thereby precluded from any recovery whatsoever as prayed for herein. Mt iif ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ THIRTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that if Plaintiffs claims were already litigated and resolved in any prior action, Plaintiff’s claims herein are barred based on the primary right and res judicata doctrines which prohibit splitting a single cause of action into successive suits, and seeking new recovery for injuries for which the Plaintiff was previously compensated by alleged joint tortfeasors. THIRTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure sections 378 and 430.10(d), if it is determined that multiple Plaintiffs have been listed on this complaint, then Westinghouse contends the Plaintiffs are misjoined. Because joinder is defective and improper, and defendants will be prejudiced by having to proceed against different Plaintiff with dissimilar cases, a single trial is unfair and a hardship, and separate trials on each individual cause of action should be ordered. THIRTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The matters alleged in this complaint are encompassed within and barred by a settlement and release agreement reached by the parties which operates as a merger and bar against any further litigation on matters raised or potentially raised in connection with the settlement and release. THIRTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE To the extent that Plaintiff has previously filed a dismissal in court dismissing all of its asserted claims, causes of action, and other theories of liability against Westinghouse with prejudice, the matters alleged in this complaint are barred by retraxit. THIRTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE To the extent that Plaintiff has reached an accord with Westinghouse regarding this litigation and this accord was then properly satisfied, the claims, causes of action, theories of liability and matters alleged in this complaint are barred by the doctrine of accord and satisfaction. iif ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ THIRTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse contends that if Plaintiff has released, settled, entered into an accord and satisfaction, or otherwise compromised his claims herein, and accordingly, said claims are barred. THIRTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The claims stated in Plaintiff's Complaint have been settled, compromised or otherwise discharged and Westinghouse is due a set off FORTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that another action is pending or has been adjudicated between the parties on the same claims alleged in this action, and therefore, pursuant to Section 430.10{c) of the Code of Civil Procedure, this action is duplicative and vexatious and cannot be maintained. FORTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse asserts that California Code of Civil Procedure Section 361 is a bar to this action because Plaintiff's claims arose in another state and by the laws of that state an action cannot be maintained by reason of the lapse of time, and as a consequence, cannot be maintained in this state. FORTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that substantial justice requires that, pursuant to Section 410.30 of the Code of Civil Procedure, this action be dismissed or stayed because the facts alleged in the Complaint occurred outside of California and California is not the appropriate forum for the action. FORTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that all or some of the claims and/or legal issues raised in the Complaint are governed by the substantive laws of a state other than California. FORTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that it was under no legal duty to warn Plaintiff of the hazards associated with the use or handling of products containing asbestos, or of their existence at any premises owned, operated, controlled by Westinghouse or where products were otherwise 9 ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ claimed to be provided by Westinghouse. Westinghouse further alleges that Plaintiff was a knowledgeable and sophisticated user and had or should have had knowledge of the potential hazards associated with using products containing asbestos. Plaintiff's knowledge of the potential hazards associated with using products containing asbestos resulted in Plaintiff assuming the risk and being the proximate and superseding cause of Plaintiff's damages, if any. Johnson v. American Standard (2008) 43 Cal 4th 56. FORTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that any liability it is claimed to have for equipment or products it manufactured, distributed or supplied does not extend to or include any liability for any parts affixed to, added to, combined with, and/or used with any of Westinghouse’s equipment or products, which parts were manufactured, supplied, and/or distributed by a third party. FORTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Westinghouse alleges that any liability it is claimed to have for equipment or products it manufactured, distributed or supplied does not extend to or include any liability for any replacement and/or component parts for such equipment or products, which replacement and/or component parts were manufactured, supplied, and/or distributed by a third party. FORTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Because of the generality of the allegations in the Complaint, Westinghouse reserves the right to amend its answer and affirmative defenses if investigation, discovery and further information should warrant such amendment, and, further, to assert any applicable matters of law during the pendency of this action. WHEREFORE, Westinghouse prays: 1, That the complaint be dismissed or judgment be rendered in favor of Westinghouse and that Plaintiff take nothing thereby; 2. For its costs of suit; iif Mf Ul ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ 3, For appropriate credits and setoffs arising out of any payment of Workers' Compensation benefits as alleged above; and 4. For such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper. DATED: August 16, 2010 POND NORTH LLP By: _/s/ Arash Nematollahi ARASH NEMATOLLAHI Attorneys for Defendant CBS Corporation, a Delaware corporation, f/k/a Viacom Inc., successor by merger to CBS Corporation, a Pennsylvania corporation, f/k/a Westinghouse Electric Corporatio (sued as CBS Corporation (f/k/a Viacom Inc., f/k/a Westinghouse Electric Corporation)) ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS 4520-3028:606902.1~~ PROOF OF SERVICE I declare that | am over the age of eighteen (18) and not a party to this action. My business address is 350 South Grand Avenue Suite 3300, Los Angeles, CA 90071. On August 16, 2010, 1 served the following document(s): ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS on the interested parties in this action as follows: By E-Service: I electronically served the above document(s) via LexisNexis File & Serve on the recipients designated on the Transaction Receipt located on the LexisNexis File & Serve website. Executed: August 16, 2010 XI (State) I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the above is true and correct. (Federal) [declare that I am employed in the office of a member of the bar of this court at whose direction the service was made. /s/ Susan M. Combs Susan M. Combs 4520-3028 4520-3028:606902.1