May 03, 2006

According to Michael Booth in the New Jersey Law Journa, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled last week that companies have a duty to spouses "based on the foreseeable risk of exposure from asbestos borne home on contaminated clothing," in the words of Justice Jaynee LaVecchia. This means that New Jerseyan Anthony Olivo can file a wrongful death suit against his former employer, Exxon, for the death, at age 82, of his wife Elizabeth from mesothelioma. And, presumably, that a whole new class of plaintiffs can be created.