Court Factors in Future Bankruptcy Settlements into Judgment Setoffs

SEATTLE -- A Washington trial court has ruled that an asbestos defendant is entitled setoffs for settlement amounts from bankruptcy trusts the plaintiff did not apply for, according to recent findings of fact and conclusions of law filed in the King County Superior Court. Coulter, et al. v. AstenJohnson, et al., No. 01-2-34675-0 SEA (Wash. Super. Ct., King Cty.).

In the May 30 document, Judge Sharon Armstrong said that even though the plaintiff did not apply for settlement amounts from bankruptcy trusts relevant to the proceedings, the judgment entered against AstenJohnson Inc. should still reflect setoffs for those future settlement …