MDL Court Throws Out Strict Products Liability Claims, Says Ship is Not a ‘Product’

PHILADELPHIA –– The asbestos MDL Court has thrown out a strict products liability claim against a ship manufacturer, maintaining its earlier position that a ship cannot be considered a product under strict products liability law.

In the same Dec. 11 order, however, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania refused to throw out the plaintiff’s negligence claims against the same defendant, ruling that the plaintiff had produced evidence to contradict evidence the defendant relied on in asserting the government contractor defense.

Marjorie Founds filed the claims on behalf of Donald Founds, who was allegedly exposed to …