HB&B has a long and distinguished history representing defendants in complex asbestos litigation in California. The firm represented Johns-Manville in Southern California from 1979 until its bankruptcy in 1982. Shortly before the Johns-Manville bankruptcy, HB&B received defense verdicts in six asbestos jury trials. From 1988 to 2001, we represented the Center for Claims Resolution, a consortium of asbestos product manufacturers, producers, and distributors. The CCR defendants' product lines included insulation, construction materials, underground cement pipe, gaskets, automotive friction materials, flooring products and raw asbestos fiber.
As plaintiffs have identified and asserted novel theories of recovery against different types of asbestos defendants, the firm’s asbestos litigation practice has expanded to meet the challenge. HB&B represents manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers sued on strict products liability theories. These clients include manufacturers of electrical components, locomotive cranes, industrial process and piping equipment and valves, chemical components used in the aerospace industry, specialized wire, tile-setting materials, respiratory protection equipment, and flooring products. We also represent manufacturers of household appliances and equipment which allegedly contained asbestos-containing insulation or wiring. The firm represents premises liability defendants sued for alleged asbestos exposure on property they have owned or controlled and manufacturers sued for asbestos-containing friction products installed on their vehicles and equipment.
In the asbestos litigation practice group, HB&B has assembled an interdisciplinary team of experienced trial attorneys specializing in products liability, toxic tort, health sciences, and bankruptcy. We have been particularly effective in successfully litigating complex corporate successor issues to extricate our clients from the litigation. The firm has the resources to deliver superior legal services tailored to the specific needs of each of our clients. We use technology and litigation management expertise to efficiently bring cases to a successful conclusion through settlement or trial. The firm’s appellate department has extensive experience in protecting defense verdicts on appeal.
Asbetos Trial History: The reputation of HB&B as a preeminent firm of trial lawyers extends to the asbestos litigation arena as well. The firm’s attorneys have extensive trial experience in state and federal courts. Although many cases are resolved by summary judgment, the asbestos plaintiffs’ bar, including the prominent Kazan, McClain, et al.; Paul, Hanley & Harley LLP; and Brayton Purcell firms, are very familiar with HB&B’s trial capabilities. This gives our clients a decided advantage in asbestos litigation.
