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  • 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

MICHAEL J, PIETRYKOWSKI (SBN: 118677) Mpietrykowski@pordonrees.com GORDON & REES LLP ELECTRONICALLY Embarcadero Centcr West 275 Battery Street, Twentieth Floor sup JE I - ED mia San Francisco, CA 94111 County of San Francisco Telephone: (415) 986-5900 JUL 29 2010 Facsimile: ~ acsimile: (415) 986-8054 Clerk of the Court BY: JUDITH NUNEZ Attorneys for Defendant Deputy Clerk THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO —- UNLIMITED CIVEL JURISDICTION LAURANCE HAGEN, CASE NO. GCG-10-275582 Plaintiff, ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY — ASBESTOS v. ASSOCIATED INSULATION OF CALIFORNIA., et al. Complaint Filed: June 2, 2010 Defendants. Nae Ne Se ee at Se! COMES NOW defendant, THE GOOD YEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY.,, and in answer to plaintiffs complaint on file herein, and each and every cause of action allegedly set forth therein, answers, alleges and denies as follows: L ‘This answering defendant denies each and every, ail and singular, generally and specifically, the allegations contained in the complaint, and cach and every cause of action allegedly set forth therein, as they may apply to this answering defendant. Ih Further answering said unverified complaint, and each and every cause of action allegedly sct forth thercin, this defendant denies that if was legally responsible in some manner for the circumstances and happenings as alleged therein, or at all, and denics that plaintiff has been damaged in the manner set forth in said unverified complaint and each and every cause of “le ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY - ASBESTOSaction allegedly set forth therein. Th. Further answering said unverified complaint, and each and cvery cause of action allegedly set forth therein, this defendant denies that it was negligent and/or careless in any respect whatsoever, as alleged therein, or al all, and denies that plaintiff has been damaged in the manner sct forth in said unverified complaint and cach and every cause of action allegedly set forth therein. FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FIRST, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that the complaint and causes of action therein fail to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against this answering defendant. SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A SECOND, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that the plaintiff was himself carcless and negligent in and about the matters referred to in the complaint and that such negligence and carelessness on the part of the plaintiff proximately caused and contributed to the damages complained of, if any there were. THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEF AS AND FOR A ‘THIRD, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that the plaintiff knew, or in the exercise of ordinary care, should have known of the risks and hazards involved in the undertaking in which plaintiff engaged, but nevertheless and with full knowledge of these things, did fully and voluntarily consent to assume the risks and hazards involved in the undertaking. FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FOURTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that the plaintiff was himself solely and totally negligent in and about the matters referred to in the complaint and that such negligence and carelessness on the part of the plaintiff proximately amounted to One Hundred Percent (100%) of -2- ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PE SONAL INJURY - ASBESTOSOo MD the negligence involved in this case and was the sole cause of the injuries and damages complained of, if any there were. EIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FIFTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that at all times and places mentioned in the complaint, plaintiff and/or other persons without this defendant's knowledge and approval redesigned, modilied, altered, and used this defendant's products contrary to instructions and contrary to the custom and practice of the industry. This redesign, modification, alteration, and use so substantially changed the product's character that if there was a defect in the product -- which is specifically denied -- such defect resulted solely from the redesign, modification. alteration, or other such treatment or change and not from any act or omission by this defendant. Therefore, said defect, if any, was created by plaintiff and/or other persons, as the case may be, and was the direct and proximate cause of the injurics and damages, if any, that plaintiff’ allceedly suffered. SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A SEXTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant allcges that if there is any negligence or liability of any of the parties named hercin, it is the sole and exclusive negligence and lability of the other defendants, and not of this answering defendant, SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A SEVENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, defendant 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 sct forth in the United States Constitution, and that any recovery by plaintiffs on the complaint on file herein is barred in consequence of the exercise of those sovereign powers. ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY - ASBESTOS ~FIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR AN EIGHTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, defendant alleges that the asbestos-containing products, if any, for which it may have legal responsibility were installed, labeled, assembled, serviced, supplicd, manufactured, designed, packaged, distributed, marketed, and/or sold in accordance with contract specilications imposed by its co-defendants, by the U.S. government, by plaintiff's employers and by third parties yet to be identified. NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A NINTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that at the time of the injuries alleged in the complaint plaintiff was employed and was entitled to and did receive workers’ compensation benefits from said employer. This defendant is formed and believes, and on the basis of said information and belief alleges that, if the conditions as alleged in the plaintiff's complaint arc found to exist, the plaintiff's cmploycr was negligent and careless in and about the matters referred to in said complaint and that said negligence on the part of the employer proximately caused or contributed to the injuries and damages, if any, complained of by the plaintiff, and further, that the plaintiff's employer assumed the risk of injury to the plaintiff, if any there was, in that at the time and place of the incident such conditions, if any, were open and apparent and were fully known to the plaintiff's employer; and that by reason thereof, this defendant is entitled to set off any compensation benefits received or to be received by the plaintiff against any judgment which maybe rendered in favor of the plaintiff herein. TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that the complaint and the causes of action therein are barred by the statutes of limitation and repose of California and any other relevant state, including but not limited to the limitations sct forth under sections 340.2 and 361 of the Code of Civil Procedure of the State of Califomia. Ae ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY - ASBESTOSELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR AN ELEVENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that the plaintiff unreasonably delayed in bringing this action against defendant and that such delay substantially prejudiced this answering defendant. Therefore, this action is barred by the doctrine of laches. TWELFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TWELFTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that the complaint and the causes of action therein fail to state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against this answering defendant pursuant to sections 3600, ct seq., of the California Labor Code. THIRTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A THIRTEENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that plaintifl's employer was contributorily negligent and careless in and about the matters alleged in the complaint, and that such negligence and carclessness was a proximate cause of any injuries and damages suffered by plaintiff, if any there were. FOURT AS AND FOR A FOURTEENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that plaintif?'s employer voluntarily and knowingly entered into and engaged in the operations, acts and conduct alleged in said complaint, and voluntarily and knowingly assumed all of the risks incident to said operation, acts and conduct alleged in said 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. FIFTEENTIT AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FIFTEENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that the plaintiff acknowledged, ratified, consented to and acquiesced in the alleged acts or omissions, if any, of this answering defendant, thus barring plaintiiY from any relief as prayed for herein. SeSIXTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A SIXTEENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant is informed and believes and therefore alleges that plaintiff is unable to identify the actual manufacturer or manufacturers of the asbestos products which allegedly caused the injury which forms the basis of the complaint herein, and that said manufacturers were entities other than this defendant. Therefore, this defendant may not be held able for the injury of the plaintiff. SEVENTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A SEVENTEENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff and plaintiffs employer were and are sophisticated users and knew independently cr reasonably should have known of any danger or hazard associated with the use of a product containing asbestos and of exposure to high levels of dust of any sort. EIGHTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR AN EIGHTEENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that at all times alleged in the complaint the products alleged to have caused piaintiff's injuries were designed, manufactured, sold. distributed, labeled and advertised in compliance with the then existing state of the art in the industry to which this defendant belonged and furthermore, that the benefits of any such product design outweighed any risk of danger in the design and that any such product met the safety expectations of plaintiff and the general public. NINETEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR AN NINETEENTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, the plaintiff has released, settled, entered into an accord and satisfaction or otherwise compromised his claims herein, and accordingly, said claims are barred by operation of law; alternatively, plaintiff has accepted compensation as partial settlement of those claims for which this defendant is entitled to a set-off. 6+ ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY - ASBESTOSAS AND FOR A TWENTIETH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, there was no negligence, gross negligence, willful, wanton, or malicious misconduct, reckless indifference or reckless disregard of the rights of the plaintiff, or malice (actual, legal, or otherwise} on the part of this defendant as to the plaintilf herein. WENT Y-LIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TWENTY-FIRST, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, at all times and placcs mentioned in the complaint, plainti{f has Jailed to make reasonable efforts to mitigate injurics and damages, if any. TWENTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TWENTY-SECOND, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, the plaintiff, prior to the filing of this complaint, never informed this defendant, by notification or otherwise, of any breach of express and/or implied warrantics; consequently, his claims of breach of express and/or implied warranties against this defendant arc barred. TWENTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TWENTY-THIRD, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, the injurics to, and damages of plaintiff, if any, were directly caused by the conduct of JOUNS-MANVILLE SALES CORPORATION, its predecessors and successors in interest, its parent company or companies, its affiliates, subsidiarics, or related companies and enterprises. TWENTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TWENTY-FOURTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that to the extent the amount of punitive damages sought is unconstitutionally excessive under the United States Constitution, it violates the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment, U.S. Const. amend. VII, and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, U.S. Const. amend XIV, section |. ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY - ASBESTOSTWENTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS FOR A TWENTY-FIFTH, SEPARATE AND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE TO SAID COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that the plaintiff's claim for punitive damages impermissibly seeks a multiple award of punitive damages as against this defendant in violation of the following clauses: the Contracts Clause of Article I, section 10 of the United States Constitution; the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment of the United Statcs Constitution; the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and its counterpart under the California Constitution; the Equal Protection of the jaws and Due Process provision of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and Article [, section 7 of the Califormia Constitution; and the Equal Protection of the laws and defendant's right to be free of Cruc] and Unusual Punishment and Excessive Fines as guaranteed under the Fifth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to, the United States Constitution and Article |, section 7 and 17, Article TV, section 16 of the California Constitution. TWENTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TWENTY-SIXTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that punitive damages arc barred by the Constitutions of the United States and California by virtue of their violation of one or more of the following clauses: the Contracts Clause of Article J, section 10 of the United States Constitution; the Excessive Fines Clause of the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution; the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution and its counterpart under the California Constitution; the Equal Protection of the laws and due process provision of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution and Article [, section 7 of the California Constitution; and the Equal Protection of the laws and defendant's right to be free of Cruel and Unusual Punishment and Excessive lines as guaranteed under the Fifth, Lighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution and Article [, section 7 and 17, and Article IV, section 16 of the California Constitution. ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAT. INJURY - ASBE!TWENTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TWENTY-SEVENTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that the subject premises was not used in the manner in which it was intended to be used, and as a proximate result of such abuse and misuse, the plaintiff sustained the injuries and damages complained of, if any there were. ‘FWENTY-RIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TWENTY-EIGHTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff has failed to join a party or the partics necessary for a just adjudication of this matter and has further omitted to state any reasons for such failure. TWENTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A TWENTY-NINTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiffs claims are a nullity for failure of commencement of suit. AS AND FOR A THIRTIETH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff failed to exercise ordinary care for his own safety and well-being, and that failure to exercise ordinary care proximately and directly caused and/or contributed to the alleged illness and injury pled in the complaint. Consequently, this defendant is entitled to the full protection afforded by law. THIRTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A THIRTY-FIRST, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff's injuries or illness, if any, were due to the acts or omissions ofa person or persons over whom this defendant had neither control ner the i right of control. THIRTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFLN AS AND FOR A THIRTY-SECOND, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that while specifically and vigorously denying the ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY - ASBESTOSallegations of the plaintiff concerning liability, injuries and damages, to the extent that plaintiff may be able to prove those allegations, this defendant states that they were the result of intervening acts of supcrseding negligence on the part of the person or persons over whom this defendant had neither control nor the right of control. THIRTY-THIRD APFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A THIRTY-THIRD, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that at all times and places mentioned in the complaint, plaintiff and/or other persons uscd this answering defendant's products, if indeed any were used, in an unreasonable manner, not reasonably foreseeable to this defendant, and for a purpose for which the products were not intended, manufactured or designed. Plaintiff's injuries and damages, if any, were therefore directly and proximatcly caused by his misuse and abuse of such products. THIRTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A THIRTY-FOURTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that any exposure of plaintiff to this defendant's product or products, which exposure is vigorously denied, was so minimal as to be insufficient to establish a reasonable degree of probability that the product or products caused his claimed injuries and illness. THIRTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A THIRTY-FIFTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that at the time of this filing, there was no good ground to support the complaint as to this defendant. There is now no good ground to support the complaint as to this defendant. THIRTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A THIRTY-SIXTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff has waived any and all claims sought in this action and is estopped both to assert and to recover upon such claims. cen een 210. ‘ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY - ASBESICTHIRTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A THIRTY-SEVENTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that the doctrine of joint and several liability has been abolished in a case such as this, and should plaintiff prevail against this defendant, this defendant's liability is several and is limited to its own actionable segment of fault, which fault is vigorously denied. THIRTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A THIRTY-EIGHTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that the causes of action asserted by plaintiff fail to state a claim upon which relicf can be granted, or, if rclicf be granted. this defendant's Constitutional right to substantive and procedural due process of law would be contravened. THIRTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A THIRTY-NINTEL, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that the causes of actions asserted by the plaintiff fail to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, for if relief be granted, such relief would constitute a taking of this defendant's property for a public use without just compensation, a violation of this defendant's Constitutional rights. MATIVE D AS AND FOR A FORTIBTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that the causes of action asserted by plaintiff fail te state a claim upon which relief can be granted because such relief would constitute a denial by this court of defendant's Constitutional right to equal protection under the law. FORTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FORTY-FIRST, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that the causes of action asserted by plaintiff against this entity is improper as plaintiff incorrectly alleges that this answering defendant is responsible, in whole or in part, for the acts of one or more alternative entitics. This answering defendant denies those claims. ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY - ASBESTOSwa wa G2 FORTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FORTY-SECOND, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff*s claim of successor liability and association with other entities is not factually or legally supported, and, as such, plaintilf has no claim against answering defendant as asserted. FORTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FORTY-THIRD, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND EFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that it is not responsible for the product line or items which plaintiff claims that it manufactured, distributed or sold. Rather, this answering defendant asserts that another entity manufactured, distributed and sold this product line and is cgally responsible therefor. FORTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FORTY-FOURTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND EFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that to the extent any claim for relief in the compiaint, or amended complaint, seeks (o recover damages against this defendant for alleged acts or omissions of predecessors or successors-in-interest to this defendant of any kind or description, said defendant asserts that it is not legally responsible and cannot legally be held Hable for any such acts or omissions, This defendant further asserts that it cannot be held Hable for punitive damages and/or exemplary damages which are or may be attributable to the conduct of'any predecessor or successor-in-interest. Farther, this defendant asserts that the conduct of any predecessor or successor-in-interest cannot, as a matter of law, provide a legal basis for liability or the imposition of damages against this defendant. AS AND FOR A FORTY-FIFTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that the product(s) or equipment which may have been manufactured or distributed by this answering defendant were manufactured and/or distributed in accordance with specifications and requirements supplied to this defendant by individuals or entities including, but not limited to, the United States of America. The alleged “ANSWER TO COMPLASwe wv detect, if any, in said products was therefore caused by the mandatory specifications and requirements, and the alleged defect was ncither known to nor discoverable by this defendant with the exercise of reasonable care. FORTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FORTY-SIXTH, SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff's recovery against this answering defendant is barred, diminished or reduced in that the product(s) or equipment, if any, utilized by plaintiff was altered or changed from the original condition of said product(s) or equipment at the time it left the possession and control of this defendant. FORTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FORTY-SEVENTIL SEPARATE AND DISTINCT ANSWER AND DEFENSE, this answering defendant alleges that California is not proper forum in which to litigate this matter pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure section 410,30 and applicable case law. FORTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FORTY-EIGHTIT SEPARATE AND DISTINCT DEFENSE TO SAID UNVERIFIED COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff was a sophisticated user of any products that caused him injury, meaning that this answering defendant can have no liability pursuant to Johnson v. American Standard, Inc. (2008) 43 Cal.4th 56. FORTY-NINTILAFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE AS AND FOR A FORTY-NINTH SEPARATE AND DISTINCT DEFENSE TO SAID UNVERIFIED COMPLAINT, this answering defendant alleges that plaintiff's cmployer(s} was/were sophisticated users of any products that caused him injury, meaning that this answering defendant can have no lability pursuant to Johnson v. American Standard, Inc. (2008) 43 Cal 4th 36, ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR SONAL INJURY - ASBESTOSGOODIN IDUSHe. wy ~ WHEREFORE, this answering defendant prays that plaintiff takes nothing by his actions, that this answering defendant be dismissed with costs of suit incurred herein, and for such other and further relief as this court deems just and proper. Dated: Aupyst 2010 GORDON & REES LLP oe Be By: -Pietrykowski Attorneys for Defendant THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY. “ANSWER TO COMPLAINT FOR PERSGOODATAARLTO8680 4 PROOF OF SERVICE BY ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION Re: Laurance Hagen v. Associated Insulation of California., et al, San Francisco County Superior Court Case No, CGC-10-273582 I, Silvia Escobar, declare: that I am, and was at the time of service of the documents herein referred fo, over the age of 18 years, and nota party to the action; and | am employed in the County of San Francisco, California. My business address is Gordon & Rees LLP, imbarcadero Center West, 275 Battery Street, 20th Floor, San Francisco, California 941 11. On the date executed below, I electronically served the document(s) via LexisNexis File & Serve described as: Answer To Complaint For Personal Injury -Asbestos on the recipients designated on the Transaction Receipt Jocated on the LexisNexis File & Serve website. | declare under penalty of perjury pursuant to the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct and was executed on ary no Attgugt *)_, 2010 at San Francisco, California, Silvia Escobar, case assistant to Michael J. Pietrykowski.