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  • JAMES JORDAN VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) ASBESTOS document preview
  • JAMES JORDAN VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) ASBESTOS document preview
  • JAMES JORDAN VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) ASBESTOS document preview
  • JAMES JORDAN VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) ASBESTOS document preview
  • JAMES JORDAN VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) ASBESTOS document preview
  • JAMES JORDAN VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) ASBESTOS document preview
  • JAMES JORDAN VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) ASBESTOS document preview
  • JAMES JORDAN VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) ASBESTOS document preview
						
                                

Preview

DOU San Francisco Superior Courts Information Technology Group Document Scanning Lead Sheet Jun-22-2004 2:38 pm Case Number: CGC-01-402113 Filing Date: Jun-15-2004 2:37 Juke Box: 001 Image: 00981795 ANSWER JAMES JORDAN VS. ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) 001000981795 Instructions: Please place this sheet on top of the document to be scanned.cow ra nanan Fs Ww NY Rm we ye Re RY NY N KY YW SF FE Fe Se Be SF BE SF rT Ss Buea sr ans 6 © wea Dw FY Y FS Robert J. Lyman, State Bar No. 085240 Walter C. Rundin, State Bar No. 072475 Rohit A. Sabnis, State Bar No. 221465 BURNHAM | BROWN A Professional Corporation P.O. Box 119 oo Oakland, California 94604 Puppet cler . Aen 1901 Harrison Street, 11th Floor Oakland, California 94612 Telephone: (510) 444-6800 Facsimile: (510) 835-6666 Attorneys for Defendant BORGWARNER INC., formerly known as BORG-WARNER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO UNLIMITED JURISDICTION JAMES JORDAN and No. 402113 SHERYL LYNN JORDAN, DEFENDANT BORGWARNER INC., Plaintiffs, FORMERLY KNOWN AS BORG- WARNER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.’S v. ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS’ FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR ASBESTOS DEFENDANTS (BHC) as PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF reflected on Exhibits B, B-1, C, F, and H; CONSORTIUM (ASBESTOS) and DOES 1-800, Defendants. Complaint Filed: December 6, 2001 1st Am. Compl. Filed: April 16, 2004 Defendant BORGWARNER INC., formerly known as BORG-WARNER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. (“Defendant”), in answer to Plaintiffs’ first amended complaint, denies generally and specifically, each and every, all and singular, the allegations of said first amended complaint, and each cause of action thereof, and further denies that Plaintiffs J AMES JORDAN and SHERYL LYNN JORDAN (“Plaintiffs”) have been damaged in any sum or sums at all. WHEREFORE, this answering Defendant asserts the following affirmative defenses: iit Mf 1 DEF. BORGWARNER INC.’S ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS’ FIRST AMENDED NO. 402113 COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF CONSORTIUM (ASBESTOS)conn nun kw YN RP we Re YY YR NR BY eB BR Be Be Be Be Be Be eS Bea ae ok FF SF BO he XY ADH eH YK SO ~ SS AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES 1. As a first affirmative defense to each cause of action, the first amended complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action against this Defendant. 2. Asa second affirmative defense, each cause of action is barred by the applicable statute of limitations, including but not limited to, California Code of Civil Procedure sections 340.2 and 361. 3. Asa third affirmative defense to each cause of action, Plaintiffs failed to mitigate or make reasonable efforts to mitigate their damages, if any, as required by law. 4. Asa fourth affirmative defense to each cause of action, the damages sustained by Plaintiffs, if any, were caused, in whole or in part, by the negligence, strict liability or fault of others for which this Defendant is not liable or responsible. 5. As a fifth affirmative defense to each cause of action, Plaintiffs by their actions, knew of and appreciated the risks involved, and voluntarily and reasonably assumed the risk of said injuries, proximately causing or contributing to the damages alleged. 6. Asa sixth affirmative defense to each cause of action, if Plaintiffs sustained injuries attributable to the use of any product, which allegations are expressly denied, the injuries were caused in whole or in part by the unreasonable, unforeseeable and inappropriate purpose and/or improper use which was made of the product. 7. As a seventh affirmative defense to each cause of action, Plaintiffs were partially, if not wholly, negligent or otherwise at fault on their own part pursuant to the doctrine of comparative fault, and Plaintiffs are barred from recovery of that portion of the damages directly attributable to their proportionate share of fault. 8. As an eighth affirmative defense to each cause of action, Defendant alleges that the products were as safe as could be designed under the state of technology and medical and scientific knowledge existing at the time the products were manufactured. 9. As a ninth affirmative defense to each cause of action, Defendant alleges that any claim for punitive or exemplary damages is barred by the United States Constitution, including the First, Fifth, Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, and by the California Constitution, 2. DEF. BORGWARNER ING.’S ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS’ FIRST AMENDED NO. 402113 COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF CONSORTIUM (ASBESTOS)eo md DH Fs Ww NY KF i o 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 including Article I, and that Civil Code section 3294 is invalid on its face or as applied in this action. 10. Asa tenth affirmative defense to each cause of action, at the time and place of the happening of the incident alleged in the complaint, Plaintiffs were employed by various employers, and were working within the course and scope of employment and certain sums have been or will be paid under the applicable provisions of the Labor Code and any award made must be reduced by the payments. 11. Asan eleventh affirmative defense to each cause of action, Defendant alleges that the action is barred under the “primary right” doctrine on the basis that causes of action may not be split by the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel and by virtue of Plaintiffs’ prosecution and/or settlement of their claims in prior actions. 12. Asa twelfth affirmative defense to each cause of action, Defendant alleges that if Plaintiffs worked for this answering Defendant then Plaintiffs’ claim is barred by the exclusive remedy provisions of the appropriate state or federal law. 13. As a thirteenth affirmative defense to each cause of action, Defendant alleges that Plaintiffs were provided and/or were covered by workers’ compensation insurance by each of their employers, and Plaintiffs, their employer and/or employers were subject to the provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act of the State of California. Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ actions were barred by the doctrine articulated in Privette v. Superior Court, 5 Cal. 4th 689 (1993). 14. As a fourteenth affirmative defense to each cause of action, this Defendant alleges that Plaintiffs assumed whatever risk or hazard, if any, that existed at the time and place of the alleged accident set forth in Plaintiffs’ complaint, and said assumption of risk or hazard is imputed to said Plaintiffs. 15. As a fifteenth affirmative defense to each cause of action, Plaintiffs acknowledged, ratified, consented to and acquiesced in the alleged acts or omissions, if any, of this Defendant, thus barring Plaintiffs’ recovery. 16. Asasixteenth affirmative defense to each cause of action, the injuries and damages sustained by Plaintiffs, if any, were solely and legally caused by the modification, 3 DEF. BORGWARNER INC.’S ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS’ FIRST AMENDED NO. 402113 COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF CONSORTIUM (ASBESTOS)oot DAH Re Ww NY my Re BY RP RW N NR KY YD YY BF KF Be Be Be Be eR old Am ke Oe Nee oS oem DR NH RR BW NY KF alteration or change of the product referred to in the complaint and said modification, alteration or change was performed by persons or entities other than this answering Defendant and without its knowledge or consent. 17. Asaseventeenth affirmative defense to each cause of action, Defendant presently has insufficient knowledge or information on which to form a belief as to whether it may have additional, as yet unstated, defenses available. Defendant reserves herein the right to assert additional defenses in the event discovery indicates that they would be appropriate. 18. Asan eighteenth affirmative defense to each cause of action, the provisions of the “Fair Responsibility Act of 1986” (commonly known as Proposition 51, Civil Code sections 1430, 1431, 1431.1, 1431.2, 1431.3, 1431.4, 1431.5 and 1432) are applicable to this action to the extent that Plaintiffs’ injuries and damages, if any, were legally caused or contributed to by the negligence or fault of persons or entities other than this answering Defendant. 19. As a nineteenth affirmative defense to each cause of action, the asbestos products, if any, for which Defendant may have any legal responsibility were manufactured, packaged, distributed, and/or sold in accordance with contract specifications imposed by Co-Defendant, by the U.S. Government, by Plaintiffs’ employers, and/or by third parties yet to be identified. 20. Asa twentieth affirmative defense to each cause of action, Plaintiffs’ complaint, and each cause of action therein, is barred by the doctrine of laches. 21. As a twenty-first affirmative defense to each cause of action, Plaintiffs’ employers were partially, if not wholly, negligent, or otherwise at fault on their own part pursuant to the doctrine of comparative negligence, and Plaintiffs should be barred from recovery of that portion of the damages directly attributable to Plaintiffs’ employers’ proportionate share of the negligence or fault. Witt v. Jackson, 57 Cal. 2d 57 (1961). 22. Asa twenty-second affirmative defense to each cause of action, Plaintiffs’ complaint, and each cause of action therein, is vague, ambiguous, unintelligible and uncertain. 23. Asa twenty-third affirmative defense to each cause of action, Plaintiffs have failed to join all persons and parties needed for a just adjudication of this action. Mt 4 DEF. BORGWARNER INC.’S ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS’ FIRST AMENDED NO. 402113 COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF CONSORTIUM (ASBESTOS)Cory nn ks Ww NY woe we ye R YP RRR eee Se SP EBS FS BNRRRPEBHK SF SF 6 wOe A Aw FY NT SC 24. Asa twenty-fourth affirmative defense, with respect to some or all of Plaintiffs’ alleged claims and causes of action, this Court lacks jurisdiction. 25. As atwenty-fifth affirmative defense, with respect to some or all of Plaintiffs’ alleged claims and causes of action, in the interest of substantial justice, the action should be heard in a forum outside this state. WHEREFORE, this answering Defendant prays for judgment as follows: 1. That Plaintiffs take nothing by reason of their first amended complaint on file herein; 2. For costs of suit incurred herein; and 3. For such other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper. DATED: June 11, 2004 BURNHAM BROWN LZ LZ By. om Ze ROHIT A. SABNIS Attorneys for Defendant BORGWARNER INC., formerly known as BORG-WARNER AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 654035 5 DEF. BORGWARNER INC.’S ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS’ FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF CONSORTIUM (ASBESTOS) NO. 402113Re: James Jordan v. Asbestos Defendants (BHC), et al. Court: San Francisco Superior Court, Unlimited Jurisdiction Action No: 402113 PROOF OF SERVICE BY UNITED STATES MAIL I declare that I am over the age of 18, not a party to the above-entitled action, and am an employee of Burnham Brown whose business address is 1901 Harrison Street, aie Floor, Oakland, Alameda County, California 94612 (mailing address: Post Office Box 119, Oakland, California 94604). On June 11, 2004, I served the following document(s): DEFENDANT BORGWARNER INC., FORMERLY KNOWN AS BORG- WARNER AUTOMOTIVE, INC.'S ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS’ FIRST AMENDED COMPLAINT FOR PERSONAL INJURY, LOSS OF CONSORTIUM By placing a copy thereof into envelope(s) bearing the name(s) and address(es) of the person(s) to be served as shown below. I placed said envelope(s) for collection and mailing at the office of Burnham Brown, 1901 Harrison Street, 11th Floor, Oakland, California. I am familiar with the business practice for collection and processing of correspondence for mailing with the United States Postal Service and, in the ordinary course of business, the correspondence would be deposited with the United States Postal Service on the day on which it is collected at the business. BRAYTON PURCELL Attorneys for Plaintiff 222 Rush Landing Road Novato, CA 94948-6169 Telephone: (415) 898-1555 Facsimile: (415) 898-1247 A letter notice has been served on all defendants — see attached list. I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the foregoing is true and correct. Brenda Zuniga DATED: June 11, 2004 “RW Qo CQ PROOF OF SERVICE NO. 402113Re: Jordan, James v Asbestos Defendants (BHC) Court: San Francisco Superior Court Action No.: 402113 SERVICE LIST ADAMS, NYE, et al. 222 Kearny Street, 7th Flr. San Francisco, CA 94108-4521 Telephone: (415) 982-8955 Facsimile: (415) 982-2042 ARCHER NORRIS 2033 N. Main St., # 800 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Telephone: (925) 930-6600 Facsimile: 1 (925) 930-6620 BECHERER KANNETT, et al. 2200 Powell St., # 805 Emeryville, CA 94608 Telephone: (510) 658-3600 Facsimile: (510) 658-1151 BENNETT, SAMUELSEN, et al. 1951 Webster St., # 200 Oakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (510) 444-7688 Facsimile: (510) 444-5849 BERRY & BERRY 2930 Lakeshore Ave. P. O. Box 16070 Oakland, CA 94610 Telephone: (510) 835-8330 Facsimile: (510) 835-5117 BRAYTON PURCELL P.O. Box 6169 NOVATO, CA 94948-6169 Telephone: (415) 898-1555 Facsimile: (415) 898-1247 COLOMBATTO, KLIMENKO & ROSSE 130 Sutter Street, 7th Floor San Francisco, CA 94104 Telephone: (415) 391-6182 Facsimile: (415) 391-2904 DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH, LLP 1 Logan Square 18th & Cherry Streets Philadelphia, PA 19103 Telephone: (215) 988-2700 Facsimile: (215) 988-2757 FILICE, BROWN, EASSA & MCLEOD 1999 Harrison Street, 18th Fl. Oakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (510) 444-3131 Facsimile: (510) 839-7940 Page 1 Taylor Plumbing Supply Company Walden, Duffy, Inc. Dillinham Construction, N.A., Inc. Dresser Industries, Inc./ Gatke Corp./ Halliburton Company Designated Defense Counsel Plaintiff James Jordan Metalcald Insulation Corp. Monsanto Company Chevron Products Company/ Dow Chemical Company/ Oakfabco, Inc./ Tosco Corp.FOX, SHJEFLO, et al. 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas Suite 250 San Mateo, CA 94403 Telephone: (650) 341-2900 Facsimile: FREEBURG, JUDY & NETTELS (T) 440 West First St., # 102 Tustin, CA 92780 Telephone: (626) 585-4150 Facsimile: GLASPY & GLASPY One Walnut Creek Center 100 Pringle Ave., #750 ‘Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Telephone: (925) 947-1300 Facsimile: GORDON & REES (SF) 275 Battery St., 20th Fl. San Francisco, CA 94111 Telephone: (415) 986-5900 Facsimile: GORDON-CREED, et al. 530 Jackson St., 2nd Flr. San Francisco, CA 94133 Telephone: (415) 421-3100 Facsimile: GRACE, GENSON, et al. 444 S. Flower St., # 1100 Los Angeles, CA 90071 Telephone: (213) 533-5400 Facsimile: HASSARD BONNINGTON Two Embarcadero Center, Ste. 1800 San Francisco, CA 94111-3993 Telephone: (415) 288-9800 Facsimile: HILDEBRANDT & LUCKY 757 W. 9th St. San Pedro, CA 90731 Telephone: (310) 548-7882 Facsimile: IMAI, TADLOCK, KEENEY, et al. 185 Berry St., Suite 4300 San Francisco, CA 94107 Telephone: (415) 537-3930 Facsimile: JACKSON & WALLACE (SF) 55 Francisco Street, 6th FL. San Francisco, CA 94133 Telephone: (415) 982-6300 Facsimile: KEESAL, YOUNG & LOGAN (SF) Four Embarcadero Center, # 1500 San Francisco, CA 94111 Telephone: (415) 398-6000 Facsimile: (650) 341-2258 (626) 585-0718 (925) 947-1594 (415) 986-8054 (415) 421-3150 (213) 533-5444 (415) 288-9801 (310) 548-4148 (415) 537-3938 (415) 982-6700 (415) 981-7729 Page 2 ‘Thorpe Insulation Company Zurn Industries, Inc. Goodrich Corporation Honetwell International, Inc./ Rosendahl Corp. BWD Automotive Corp. Honeywell International, Inc. Honeywell International, Inc. Thorpe Insulation Company Elliott Company The Budd Company/ Fluor Corp./ Plant Insulation Company/ Republic Supply Company/ Robertson-Ceco Corp./ Zum Industries, Inc. Lear-Siegler Diversified Holding CompanyKNOX RICKSEN LLP 2101 Webster St.., # 650 Oakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (510) 285-2500 Facsimile: (510) 285-2505 MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE (SF) Steuart Street Tower, One Market, Suite 2700 San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 267-4000 Facsimile: 1 (415) 267-4198 MCNAMARA, DODGE, NEY, et al. Attn: Asbestos Department 1211 Newell Ave., # 202 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Telephone: (925) 939-5330 Facsimile: (925) 939-0203 MORGENSTEIN & JUBELIRER One Market, Spear Street Tower 32nd Fl. San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 901-8700 Facsimile: 1 (415) 901-8701 PRINDLE, DECKER & AMARO (LB) 310 Golden Shore, 4th Fl. Long Beach, CA 90802 Telephone: (562) 436-3946 Facsimile: (562) 495-0564 ROPERS, MAJESKI, et al. (SF) 333 Market St., Suite 3150 San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 543-4800 Facsimile: (415) 274-6301 SACK, MILLER & ROSENDIN, L.LP. ‘The Ordway Building One Kaiser Plaza, # 340 Oakland, CA 94612 Telephone: (510) 286-2200 Facsimile: (510) 286-8887 SEDGWICK, DETERT, et al. (SF) One Embarcadero Center, 16th Fl. San Francisco, CA 94111 Telephone: (415) 781-7900 Facsimile: (415) 781-2635 STEEFEL, LEVITT & WEISS One Embarcadero Center, # 2900 San Francisco, CA 94111 Telephone: (415) 788-0900 Facsimile: (41 5) 788-2019 STEVENS, DRUMMOND & GIFFORD 1910 Olympic Blvd., # 250 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Telephone: (925) 944-5550 Facsimile: (925) 256-9669 THELEN REID & PRIEST LLP (SF) 101 Second St., Ste 1800 San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 371-1200 Facsimile: (415) 644-6519 Page 3 Abb Lummus Global, Inc. Certaineed Corp./ Dana Corp./ Maremont Corp./ Quigley Company, Inc./ Union Carbide Corp. Babcock Borsig Power, Inc. 4520 Corp., Inc./ Dixon Boiler Works, Inc./ General Refractories Company/ Viacom, Inc. Henry Vogt Machine Co. Grinnell Corp. Parsons Energy & Chemical Group Chevron Products Company/ Gatke Corp./ Shell Oil Company Westburne Supply, Inc. Pneumo Abex Corporation Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp./ Rapid- American Corp./ Sequoia Ventures, Inc./DaimlerChrysler CorporationTOWLE, DENISON, SMITH & TAVERA 10866 Wilshire Blvd Suite 500 Los Angeles, CA 90024 Telephone: (310) 446-5445 Facsimile: (310) 446-5447 WALSWORTH, FRANKLIN, et al. (SF) 550 Montgomery Street, 8th Fl. San Francisco, CA 94111 Telephone: (415) 781-7072 Facsimile: (415) 391-6258 WILSON, ELSER, et al. (SF) 650 California St., 14th Fl. San Francisco, CA 94108 Telephone: (415) 433-0990 Facsimile: (415) 434-1370 Page 4 Parker Hannifin Corp./ Standard Motor Products, Inc. Oscar E. Erickson, Inc. AH. Voss Company