Case Updates
California Supreme Court declines to review controversial “any-exposure” theory for asbestos liability
February 18, 2015
The petition was denied.
U.S. Chamber files amicus letter urging review
January 26, 2015
In its amicus letter, the Chamber urged the California Supreme Court to review a decision by the California Court of Appeal that adopted the controversial “any-exposure” or “single-fiber” theory of asbestos liability. Under this widely discredited theory, a plaintiff need only demonstrate that he inhaled any amount of asbestos—no matter how small the dose—in order to establish causation and hold a defendant liable. The Chamber’s letter argued that the decision is at odds with black letter law causation requirements and could trigger yet another wave of asbestos lawsuits in California courts.
Fred A. Rowley, Jr. of Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP served as counsel for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the U.S. Chamber Litigation Center.
Case Documents
- Opinion -- Izell v. Union Carbide Corporation (California Court of Appeal).pdf
- U.S. Chamber Amicus Letter -- Izell v. Union Carbide Corporation (California Supreme Court).pdf