Utah Dismisses Claims as Time-Barred, Says ‘Time of Exposure is Irrelevant’

SALT LAKE CITY –– A Utah federal court has dismissed asbestos claims asserted against several defendants, ruling that the case is time-barred since the key inquiry into the applicable limitations period is when the person discovers the cause of his injuries.

In the Oct. 24 ruling, however, the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah found that the limitations period is only applicable to defendants named for the first time in the plaintiff’s first amended complaint.

Plaintiff Aaron Anderson filed the lawsuit, contending that his diagnosis of pleural plaques and asbestosis was caused by occupational asbestos exposure.

A …