Hobart Corp. Not Liable for Predecessor’s Historic Asbestos

Hobart Corp. didn’t inherit historic liability when it purchased some assets of a manufacturer of asbestos-containing products, a New York appeals court ruled.

There was no de facto merger between Hobart and Vulcan-Hart Corp., which would open Hobart to liability for asbestos exposures occurring before the 1986 asset purchase, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division said Feb. 19.

Hobart agreed to take on liability for exposures occurring after the 1986 asset purchase agreement.

Christos Dritsas worked in restaurants where he was allegedly exposed to asbestos-containing ovens, grills, and broilers made by Vulcan-Hart from 1969 until 1988.

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