Pa. Court Affirms Summary Judgment to Possessor-of-Land Defendant

PITTSBURGH -- A Pennsylvania court has affirmed an award of summary judgment to defendant Metropolitan Edison, finding that the plaintiff alleging asbestos exposure failed to prove that the possessor-of-land defendant held superior knowledge of asbestos dangers at the company's facility. Rudy, et al. v. A-Best, et al., No. 130 WDA 2004 (Pa. Super. Ct.).

In a Feb. 17 decision, the Pennsylvania Superior Court rejected the plaintiffs' attempts to hold Metropolitan Edison liable under the peculiar risk and superior knowledge doctrines, citing evidence indicating the exposed plaintiff's own vast knowledge of asbestos dangers.

The plaintiffs asserted their claims on behalf of …