Crane Co., Warren Pumps, File Opening Briefs in Component Parts Dispute

SAN FRANCISCO -- Two defendants involved in California's component parts dispute have filed their opening briefs in the state's Supreme Court, arguing that there is no precedent for enforcing a duty on parties who do not make or market injury-causing products. O'Neil v. Crane Co., et al., No. S177401 (Calif. Sup. Ct.).

In its opening brief filed March 8 in the high court, Crane Co. claims that the appellate court departed from "long-standing stream-of-commerce rule" when it held the defendant liable for products they did not place in the stream of commerce.

The underlying petition was filed by defendants …