Va. High Court: Statute of Limitations Runs for All Damages, Even if Separate Disease Develops Later

RICHMOND, Va. –– When the statute of limitations for Virginia asbestos plaintiffs begins to run, it runs for all damages linked to the alleged harmful act, even if a separate injury occurs at a later date, the state’s high court has ruled.

In its Jan. 10 opinion, the Virginia Supreme Court addressed a question certified by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, opining that the indivisible cause of action rule was not thrown out when the state’s General Assembly enacted a discovery rule exception to the statute of limitations.

The underlying case involved claims brought by …