Asbestos Defense

For over a decade, Schenck, Price, Smith & King has been actively involved in the defense of cases involving alleged worksite exposure to asbestos products purportedly manufactured, distributed, and/or sold by various clients. Our clients in these cases have included major manufacturing and other industrial companies and various building supply houses. Some of these clients have been self-insured, others have come to us through insurance carriers. Our clients have included "discovery" or "employer" defendants, as well as active party defendants. Certain of our clients have been "target" defendants, others only tangential players.

Our philosophy in handling these matters has always been consistent. We have provided the highest quality legal representation in the most cost-efficient manner possible. The client is kept actively and fully informed. The partner in charge of the case typically takes a role that is managerial and supervisory. Deposition and court appearances and other work that can be handled below the partner level are so handled. Nevertheless, partners will take a more active role when necessary and appropriate, either because requested by the client or because of the significance of the activity. We have always avoided duplication of effort, needless billing, and "paper-pushing", so often derided in mass tort litigation such as the asbestos cases.

Because of the good will that we have engendered as a result of our long-standing involvement with various plaintiffs' firms and counsel, we have been able to obtain results that have greatly benefited our clients. This has included block settlement packages balanced by mass voluntary dismissals. Alternatively, we have been successful in obtaining dismissals of cases in which we felt the client did not belong. In all cases, the particular client's philosophy and goals have guided us, and we have always striven to obtain what is best for the client.

We feel confident that a company in need of representation in an asbestos case would be well served by consulting with, and retaining, Schenck, Price, Smith & King.

(Note: Examples cited above are for illustration only. Results in any particular litigation will depend in large part upon the facts of the specific case.)

For Additional Information Contact Gilbert S. leeds