Judge: Landowner's Limited Control Precludes Liability for Contractor's Injury

WILMINGTON, Del. - A judge has refused to find an electric and natural gas company liable for a contractor's mesothelioma allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos at a Delaware facility, stating that the premises defendant exercised general superintendence rather than active control over the plaintiff's work. In Re: Asbestos Litigation - Hudson Trial Group, No. 03C-06-130 (Del. Super. Ct., New Castle Cty.).

In a Jan. 11 opinion, Judge Joseph R. Slights III of Delaware's New Castle County Superior Court said that there was no evidence that Delmarva Power & Light Co. issued safety manuals or tools to plaintiff Harry J. …