Honer v. Ford Motor Co.
Alleging she had been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of her exposure to asbestos, a California resident (since 1956) who had lived in New Jersey until 1951 filed a complaint for damages, asserting a premises liability cause of action against two defendants who owned properties in New Jersey where her father and brother worked with asbestos as employees of an independent contractor hired by the defendants. Among other things, the plaintiff had laundered her fathers and brothers asbestos-covered work clothes in the familys New Jersey home. The trial court granted summary judgment for one defendant (Ford Motor Company) on the ground that the New Jersey statute of repose barred the action and for the other defendant (Merck & Co., Inc.) on the ground that the defendant owed no duty to this plaintiff who had never been to the work site. Because summary judgment was not properly granted as to either defendant, Court reverse and remand with directions.
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