On January 19, 2017 a Answer was filed involving a dispute between Michael Nivins As Executor Of The Estate Of Willard Nivins Sr., and Air & Liquid Systems Corporation, As Successor By Merger To Buffalo Pumps, Inc., Armstrong International, Inc., Aurora Pump Company, Borgwarner Morse Tec Llc, As Successor-By-Merger To Borg-Warner Corporation, Carrier Corporation, Cbs Corporation, F K A Viacom, Inc., Successor By Merger To Cbs Corporation, F K A Westinghouse Electric Corporation, Crane Co., Dana Companies, Llc, F K A Dana Corporation, Eaton Hydraulics, Inc., F K A Vickers, Inc., Elliott Company, Federal Mogul Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, As Successor To Felt Products Manufacturing Co., Flowserve Us, Inc., Fmc Corporation, On Behalf Of Its Former Chicago Pump, Northern Pump, And Peerless Pump Businesses, Ford Motor Company, Foster Wheeler Llc, Survivor To A Merger With Foster Wheeler Corporation, Gardner Denver, Inc., General Electric Company, Genuine Parts Company, Goulds Pumps Incorporated, Honeywell International, Inc., F K A Alliedsignal, Inc., As Successor-In-Interest To The Bendix Corporation, Hopeman Brothers, Inc., Howden North America, F K A Howden Buffalo, Inc., Imo Industries, Inc., Ingersoll-Rand Company, Jenkins Bros., J.H. France Refractories Co., John Crane, Inc., Kelsey-Hayes Company, National Automotive Parts Association, Pneumo Abex Corporation, Individually And As Successor In Interest To Abex Corporation F K A American Brake Shoe, Schneider Electric Usa, Inc., Formerly Known As Square D Company, The Budd Company, The Falk Corporation, The Nash Engineering Company, Trane U.S. Inc., F K A American Standard Inc., Union Carbide Corp., Velan Valve Corp., Warren Pumps, Llc, for Torts - Asbestos in the District Court of New York County.
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FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/10/2017 09:50 AM INDEX NO. 190020/2017 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 43 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/10/2017 SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK : IN RE: NEW YORK CITY : ASBESTOS LITIGATION : : : THIS DOCUMENT RELATES TO : : Michael Nivins, as Executor of the Estate of Willard Nivins, : INDEX NO. 190020-17 Sr., : : Plaintiff(s), : : -against- : : ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF Air & Liquid Systems Corporation, et al., : SUMMONS AND : ANSWER TO COMPLAINT : : : Defendants. : : Defendant Air & Liquid Systems Corporation as successor by merger to Buffalo Pumps, Inc. (hereinafter “Buffalo”) by its attorneys Wilbraham, Lawler & Buba, hereby acknowledges receipt of the Summons and Complaint in this action. 1. Buffalo hereby answers the Complaint in this action by reference to its latest Standard Answer(s) to Levy, Philips, and Konigsberg, LLP Standard Asbestos Complaint for Personal Injury and asserts each of the answers, affirmative defenses and crossclaims contained in its latest Standard Answer(s). 2. The defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegation set forth in this paragraph and demands that plaintiff(s) prove the truth of these allegations at trial. 1 of 8 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/10/2017 09:50 AM INDEX NO. 190020/2017 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 43 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/10/2017 3. The defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegation set forth in this paragraph and demands that plaintiff(s) prove the truth of these allegations at trial. 4. The defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the allegation set forth in this paragraph and demands that plaintiff(s) prove the truth of these allegations at trial. FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The Complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief may be granted. SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE This defendant acted reasonably and with due cares toward the plaintiff(s) and violated no duty owed to the plaintiff(s). THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The injuries and damages complained of were the proximate result of the negligence of third parties over whom this defendant had no control or right of control. FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE This defendant denies that it was guilty of any negligence or breach of warranty which directly caused or proximately contributed to plaintiff(s)' alleged damages. FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The alleged injuries and damages were the result of the plaintiff(s)' sole negligence. SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The plaintiff(s)' contributory negligence was greater than the negligence of the answering defendant. In the event that such contributory negligence is adjudged not to be greater than the negligence of answering defendant, the plaintiff(s)' damages shall be diminished by the percentage of plaintiff(s)' contributory negligence. 2 of 8 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/10/2017 09:50 AM INDEX NO. 190020/2017 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 43 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/10/2017 SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The Court lacks jurisdiction over this defendant. EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The Court lacks jurisdiction over the subject matter of this action. NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The venue of this action is improper and this defendant reserves the right to move for a transfer. TENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The Statute of Limitations and/or Statute of Repose bars plaintiff(s)' action, and accordingly, this defendant reserves the right to move for dismissal at or before trial. ELEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE This defendant denies breach of any warranties, expressed or implied. TWELFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The plaintiff(s) had full knowledge of all facts, circumstances and conditions existing with respect to the use of any product mentioned in the Complaint and voluntarily assumed the risk from and attendant to the use of products manufactured or supplied by this defendant. THIRTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE This defendant is not liable to the plaintiff(s) in strict liability in tort. FOURTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The plaintiff(s) consented to the acts alleged in the Complaint. FIFTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Since plaintiff(s)' employers are primarily liable for plaintiff(s)' current injuries and plaintiff(s) brought or have the right to bring an action for workmen's compensation benefits, plaintiff(s)' damages, if any, is barred by the exclusive remedial provisions under the workers' 3 of 8 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/10/2017 09:50 AM INDEX NO. 190020/2017 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 43 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/10/2017 compensation law and other applicable state laws. In the alternative, the damages should at least be reduced by the amount of compensation received from the plaintiff(s)' employers. SIXTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The incident and injuries complained of were caused by unauthorized, unintended and improper use of the products complained of and as a result of plaintiff(s)' failure to exercise reasonable and ordinary care, caution or vigilance. SEVENTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff(s)' injuries and damages were caused by the superseding and intervening acts or the fault of other parties over whom this defendant had no control and for whose actions this defendant is not liable. EIGHTEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The plaintiff(s)' action is barred by the Doctrine of Laches. NINETEENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE This defendant never designed, manufactured, sold or distributed a defective product which caused plaintiff(s)' damages. TWENTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Inasmuch as the plaintiff(s) are unable to identify the manufacturer of the product that allegedly caused their injuries, plaintiff(s) fail to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. If relief were granted in the absence of product identification, it would contravene with defendant's constitutional rights to substantive and procedural due process of law and equal protection, as well as, defendant's constitutional rights to protection against the taking of private property for public use without just compensation as preserved by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. TWENTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 4 of 8 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/10/2017 09:50 AM INDEX NO. 190020/2017 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 43 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/10/2017 The applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code bar the alleged claims. TWENTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE At all times relevant hereto, this defendant followed plans, specifications and contracts set by a governmental body and did not deviate from said plans, contracts and specifications, therefore, its actions are cloaked with immunity. TWENTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE At all times relevant hereto, this defendant complied with all applicable laws, regulations and standards. TWENTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The plaintiff(s)' alleged injuries were caused in whole or in part by the misuse, abuse and/or unauthorized alteration of this defendant or other defendant's products. TWENTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE All oral warranties upon which plaintiff(s) allegedly relied upon are inadmissible and unavailable due to the applicable statute of frauds. TWENTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff(s)' claim for punitive damages is barred by the proscription of the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as applied to the States through the Fourteenth Amendment, prohibiting the imposition of excessive fines. TWENTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff(s)' claim for punitive damages is barred by the "double jeopardy" clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution, as applied to the States through the Fourteenth Amendment. TWENTY-EIGHTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The plaintiff(s)' action is barred by the doctrine of estoppel and waiver. 5 of 8 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/10/2017 09:50 AM INDEX NO. 190020/2017 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 43 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/10/2017 TWENTY-NINTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff(s)' claim for punitive damages is barred by the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and by the New York State Constitution. THIRTIETH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Any benefit or other compensation received by plaintiff(s) from any other defendants or any collateral source, including workers compensation, social security death benefits and/or insurance, should reduce or set off the amount of any judgment against this defendant. THIRTY-FIRST AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff(s) failed to mitigate or reduce his/her alleged injuries. THIRTY-SECOND AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE All causes of action based on expressed or implied warranties are legally insufficient since plaintiff(s) failed to allege privity of contract between plaintiff(s) and answering defendant. THIRTY-THIRD AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Any asbestos exposure from this defendant's products are so minimal that there is insufficient evidence that this defendant's products caused plaintiff(s)' alleged injuries. THIRTY-FOURTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Even if plaintiff(s) can establish a breach of warranty, plaintiff(s) failed to provide prompt and proper notice of said breach of warranty to the answering defendant. THIRTY-FIFTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE Plaintiff(s) did not directly or indirectly purchase any asbestos-containing products from this defendant. Therefore, plaintiff(s) neither received nor relied upon any representation or warranty allegedly made regarding this defendant's products. THIRTY-SIXTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE 6 of 8 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/10/2017 09:50 AM INDEX NO. 190020/2017 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 43 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/10/2017 Plaintiff(s)' claims are barred by the doctrine of res judicata. THIRTY-SEVENTH AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE The answering defendant incorporates and adopts all affirmative defenses raised and plead by any other defendants except such defenses which refer to this answering defendant. Additionally, defendant specifically reserves the right to amend this answer and assert any additional defenses that might become available as discovery continues. CROSSCLAIMS 1. This defendant demands contribution, jointly and severally, from all other defendants, potential defendants, and potential third-party defendant. 2. This defendant denies any liability whatsoever to the plaintiff(s) and/or plaintiff's decedent but asserts that if it is in any way found to be liable, such liability is passive, indirect and secondary, and answering defendant hereby demands indemnification from all responsible and liable co-defendants. WHEREFORE, defendant Air & Liquid Systems Corporation as successor by merger to Buffalo Pumps, Inc. hereby demands judgment in its favor and against all other defendants, potential defendants and potential third-party defendants for contribution and indemnification. ANSWER TO CROSSCLAIMS This defendant denies all allegations of all crossclaims asserted against Air & Liquid Systems Corporation as successor by merger to Buffalo Pumps, Inc. which have been filed or hereafter to be filed by any and all co-defendants in this matter. WHEREFORE, defendant Air & Liquid Systems Corporation as successor by merger to Buffalo Pumps, Inc. hereby demands judgment in its favor and against all other defendants and requests that the Court dismiss all crossclaims filed against this defendant with prejudice. DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL 7 of 8 FILED: NEW YORK COUNTY CLERK 04/10/2017 09:50 AM INDEX NO. 190020/2017 NYSCEF DOC. NO. 43 RECEIVED NYSCEF: 04/10/2017 The answering defendant hereby demands a trial by jury as to all issues. DESIGNATION OF TRIAL COUNSEL John S. Howarth, Esquire is hereby designated as trial counsel in this matter. Dated: March 6, 2017 Respectfully submitted, New York, New York WILBRAHAM, LAWLER & BUBA _/s/ John S. Howarth _ By: John S. Howarth Attorneys for Defendant, Air & Liquid Systems Corporation as successor by merger to Buffalo Pumps, Inc. 140 Broadway, 46th Floor New York, NY 10005 8 of 8