WELCH, J.
The plaintiffs, Frances Robertson, Phillis Castille, Leslie Robertson, and Stewart Roberston, appeal a judgment granting summary judgment in favor of defendant, The Sherwin-Williams Company ("Sherwin-Williams"), dismissing their survival and wrongful death claims against Sherwin-Williams and a judgment granting a motion to strike the testimony of the plaintiffs' expert on medical causation, Dr. Eugene J. Mark. We reverse both judgments of the trial court and remand for further proceedings.
On June 30, 2004, Harris Roberston was diagnosed with mesothelomia and on November
In the plaintiffs' petition, they alleged that Harris Robertson's fatal disease was caused in part by his exposure to asbestos and asbestos-containing products through his work for V.P. Pierret Construction Company from approximately 1960-1970. Specifically, the plaintiffs asserted that during this time frame, Harris Robertson installed sheetrock and was regularly exposed to friable asbestos and asbestos-containing products, which were present in the joint compounds used to finish or float the sheetrock, and as a result of that exposure, asbestos dust and fibers were inhaled or otherwise ingested by Harris Robertson.
On October 8, 2008, Sherwin-Williams filed a motion for summary judgment, asserting that plaintiffs had "no evidence" that Harris Robertson "had any, much less substantial, asbestos exposure from products bought at `Sherwin-Williams' stores, or indeed that [Sherwin-Williams] owned the stores in question." Thereafter, the plaintiffs filed a motion to continue and a response to Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment.
In the motion to continue, the plaintiffs contended that they were entitled to a continuance under La. C.C.P. art. 1602
Additionally, on December 18, 2009, Sherwin-Williams filed a motion to strike portions of the opinion of the plaintiffs' expert, Dr. Mark, a practicing pathologist and a Harvard Medical School professor of pathology. Specifically, Sherwin-Williams sought an order precluding Dr. Mark from offering what it claimed to be "unreliable testimony that `any fiber' or `every exposure above background' was a substantial contributing factor" in causing Harris Robertson's mesothelioma.
The plaintiffs opposed the motion to strike, essentially arguing Dr. Mark had not opined that "any fiber" or "every exposure above background" was a substantial contributing factor in causing Harris Robertson's mesothelioma, as suggested by Sherwin-Williams, and that Dr. Mark's testimony and conclusions regarding the cause of Harris Robertson's mesothelioma had been made using valid methodology and was supported by, and consistent with, generally-accepted scientific and medical literature.
After a hearing on January 19, 2010, the trial court denied Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment and granted Sherwin-Williams' motion to strike.
On January 25, 2010, Sherwin-Williams filed a motion for new trial on the denial of its motion for summary judgment, contending that it was entitled, under La. C.C.P. art. 1973 to a new trial because the "plaintiffs cannot establish that any asbestos exposure for which Sherwin-Williams is responsible was a substantial contributing factor in causing" Harris Robertson's mesothelioma. Specifically, Sherwin-Williams argued that after the trial court denied its motion for summary judgment, the trial court granted Sherwin-Williams' motion to strike portions of the testimony of Dr. Mark, and without Dr. Mark's opinion on specific or medical causation, the plaintiffs had no other expert testimony establishing specific or medical causation, i.e., that the alleged asbestos exposure from products purchased at Sherwin-Williams was a substantial contributing factor in causing Harris Robertson's mesothelioma.
Additionally, on February 19, 2010, the plaintiffs filed a motion for new trial on the grant of Sherwin-Williams' motion to
On April 6, 2010, the trial court signed a judgment denying the plaintiffs' motion for new trial on the motion to strike, granting Sherwin-Williams' motion for new trial on its motion for summary judgment, and granting Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment "regarding substantial contributing cause," and on April 5, 2011, the trial court signed a supplemental judgment, which in addition to containing the provisions set forth in the April 6, 2010 judgment, also dismissed the plaintiffs' claims against Sherwin-Williams with prejudice.
The plaintiffs have appealed the April 5, 2011 judgment granting Sherwin-Williams' motion for new trial on its motion for summary judgment and granting Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment, the February 23, 2010 judgment granting Sherwin-Williams' motion to strike the testimony of Dr. Mark, and the April 6, 2010 judgment denying their motion for new trial on Sherwin-Williams' motion to strike.
A motion for summary judgment is a procedural device used to avoid a full-scale trial when there is no genuine issue of material fact. Granda v. State Farm Mutual Insurance Company, 2004-2012, p. 4 (La.App. 1st Cir.2/10/06), 935 So.2d 698, 701. Summary judgment is proper only if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with any affidavits, show there is no genuine issue of material fact and that the
Summary judgments are reviewed on appeal de novo. Granda, 2004-2012 at p. 4, 935 So.2d at 701. Thus, this court uses the same criteria as the trial court in determining whether summary judgment is appropriate—whether there is a genuine issue of material fact and whether mover is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Jones v. Estate of Santiago, 2003-1424, p. 5 (La.4/14/04), 870 So.2d 1002, 1006.
On a motion for summary judgment, the initial burden of proof is on the moving party. If, however, the moving party will not bear the burden of proof at trial on the matter before the court, the moving party's burden of proof on the motion is satisfied by pointing out to the court that there is an absence of factual support for one or more elements essential to the adverse party's claim, action, or defense. Thereafter, the non-moving party must produce factual support sufficient to establish that it will be able to satisfy its evidentiary burden of proof at trial. Failure to do so shows that there is no genuine issue of material fact. La. C.C.P. art. 966(C)(2). Once the motion for summary judgment has been properly supported by the moving party, the failure of the non-moving party to produce evidence of a material factual dispute mandates the granting of the motion. Babin v. Winn-Dixie Louisiana, Inc., 2000-0078, p. 4 (La.6/30/00), 764 So.2d 37, 40; see also La. C.C.P. art. 967(B). Any doubt as to a dispute regarding a genuine issue of material fact must be resolved against granting the motion and in favor of a trial on the merits. Fernandez v. Hebert, 2006-1558, p. 8 (La.App. 1st Cir.5/4/07), 961 So.2d 404, 408, writ denied, 2007-1123 (La.9/21/07), 964 So.2d 333.
A "genuine issue" is a "triable issue," that is, an issue on which reasonable persons could disagree. If, on the state of the evidence, reasonable persons could reach only one conclusion, there is no need for a trial on that issue. Jones, 2003-1424 at p. 6, 870 So.2d at 1006. In determining whether an issue is genuine, a court should not consider the merits, make credibility determinations, evaluate testimony, or weigh evidence. Fernandez, 2006-1558 at p. 8, 961 So.2d at 408.
A fact is material if it potentially ensures or precludes recovery, affects a litigant's ultimate success, or determines the outcome of the legal dispute. Anglin v. Anglin, 2005-1233, p. 5 (La.App. 1st Cir.6/9/06), 938 So.2d 766, 769. Because it is the applicable substantive law that determines materiality, whether a particular fact in dispute is "material" for summary judgment purposes can only be seen in light of the substantive law applicable to the case. Dickerson v. Piccadilly Restaurants, Inc., 99-2633, pp. 3-4 (La.App. 1st Cir.12/22/00), 785 So.2d 842, 844.
In this case, the plaintiffs' action for damages is based on negligence (La. C.C. art. 2315) and strict liability (La.C.C. art. 2317). Under both theories, the standard analysis employed in determining whether to impose liability is the duty/risk analysis. In order for a plaintiff to recover and for liability to attach under a duty/risk analysis, a plaintiff must prove five separate elements: (1) the defendant had a duty to conform his or her conduct to a specific standard of care (the duty element); (2) the defendant failed to conform his or her conduct to the appropriate standard (the breach of duty element); (3) the defendant's substandard conduct was a cause-in-fact of the plaintiffs injuries (the cause-in-fact element); (4) the defendant's substandard conduct was a legal cause of the plaintiffs injuries (the scope of liability or scope of protection element); and (5)
In this case, at issue in Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment was the cause-in-fact element. Cause-in-fact is a question of fact. Rando, 2008-1163 at p. 29, 16 So.3d at 1087. Due to the lengthy latency period between exposure to asbestos and manifestation of the asbestos-related disease, cause-in-fact is considered the "premier hurdle" faced by plaintiffs in asbestos litigation. Rando, 2008-1163 at p. 31, 16 So.3d at 1088. However, notwithstanding the difficulty of proof involved, a plaintiffs burden of proof against multiple defendants in a long latency case is not relaxed or reduced because of the degree of difficulty that might ensue in proving the contribution of each defendant's product to the plaintiffs injury. Rando, 2008-1163 at pp. 35-36, 16 So.3d at 1091. To prevail in an asbestos case, the plaintiff must show by a preponderance of the evidence, he was exposed to asbestos and he received an injury substantially caused by that exposure. Rando, 2008-1163 at p. 31, 16 So.3d at 1088. When multiple causes of injury are present, a defendant's conduct is a cause-in-fact if it is a substantial factor generating plaintiffs harm. Rando, 2008-1163 at p. 31, 16 So.3d 1088.
The Louisiana Supreme Court addressed the causation problem in asbestosrelated disease cases in Rando, 2008-1163 at p. 35, 16 So.3d at 1091, by relying on the reasoning of Borel v. Fibreboard Paper Products Corporation, 493 F.2d 1076, 1094 (5th Cir.1973), cert. denied, 419 U.S. 869, 95 S.Ct. 127, 42 L.Ed.2d 107 (1974), an asbestosis case, which provided as follows:
The Borel court also stated that "[w]hether the defendant's conduct was a substantial factor is a question for the jury, unless the court determines that reasonable men could not differ." Id.
In Rando, the supreme court then noted, that "[b]uilding on this early observation [in Borel], Louisiana courts have employed a `substantial factor' test to determine whether exposure to a particular asbestos-containing product was a cause-in-fact of a plaintiffs asbestos-related disease." Rando, 2008-1163 at p. 35, 16 So.3d at 1091. Thus, in an asbestos case, the claimant must show he had significant exposure to the product complained of to the extent that it was a substantial factor in bringing about his injury. Id. Stated differently, the plaintiff must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence that: (1) his exposure to the defendant's asbestos product was significant, and (2) that this exposure caused or was a substantial factor in bringing about his mesothelioma (or other asbestos-related disease). See Rando, 2008-1163 at p. 38, 16 So.3d at 1092 (ultimately concluding with regard to cause-in-fact that there was "no manifest error in the trial court's [factual] determination [that] Rando proved by a preponderance of the evidence his exposure to asbestos was significant and [that]
At the outset, we note that there is no dispute that there is a causal relationship between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, and that Harris Robertson's mesothelioma was caused by his exposure to asbestos. We also note that Harris Robertson died before this suit was filed and that he never testified or gave statements about his work or potential asbestos exposure prior to his death. Hence, the plaintiffs will have to rely largely on circumstantial evidence that reasonably infers that Harris Robertson's exposure to the defendant's asbestos-containing product was significant and that this exposure substantially contributed to his mesothelioma.
In Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment, it alleged that the plaintiffs had "no evidence" that Harris Robertson "had any, much less substantial asbestos exposure from products bought at `Sherwin-Williams' stores, or indeed that [Sherwin-Williams] owned the stores in question." Thus, the issues raised in Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment pertained to whether Harris Robertson's exposure to asbestos-containing products purchased at (or sold by) Sherwin-Williams was significant. Furthermore, we note, from a review of Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment
At the hearing on January 19, 2010, the trial court denied Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment, and following the denial of that motion, Sherwin-Williams attempted, at that same hearing, to raise the issue of whether the exposure was a substantial factor in bringing about Harris Robertson's mesothelioma. However, the trial court specifically, and correctly, refused to address that issue. See La. C.C.P. art. 966(E)(providing that "a summary judgment shall be rendered or affirmed only as to those issues set forth in the motion under consideration by the court at that time." (Emphasis added.)).
Thereafter, Sherwin-Williams filed a motion for new trial on the denial of the motion for summary judgment, asserting
Although Sherwin-Williams may have raised the issue of "substantial cause" (i.e., whether the exposure to the asbestos-containing products purchased at (or sold by) Sherwin-Williams caused or was a substantial factor in bringing about Harris Robertson's mesothelioma) in its motion for new trial, it did not raise the issue of "substantial cause" in the underlying motion for summary judgment that was under consideration before the trial court.
As previously noted, the issues raised in Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment pertained to whether Harris Robertson "had any, much less substantial asbestos exposure from products bought at `Sherwin-Williams' stores, or indeed that [Sherwin-Williams] owned the stores in question." Specifically, Sherwin-Williams contended that there was a lack of evidence establishing that Harris Robertson worked with an asbestos-containing joint compound bought at Sherwin-Williams. In support of this contention, Sherwin-Williams pointed to the deposition testimony of three of Harris Robertson's brothers, Raoul "Bobby" Robertson, Jr., Harold Robertson, and Raymond Robertson, all of whom had previously worked with Harris Robertson in the drywall finishing and painting business, that they did not personally know whether the joint compound products that they purchased (at any store) actually contained asbestos. Additionally, Sherwin-Williams contended that there was a lack of evidence establishing that Sherwin-Williams actually owned the Sherwin-Williams' stores where the asbestos-containing products were purchased, claiming that at the
In opposition to Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment, the plaintiffs argued that there were genuine issues of material fact precluding summary judgment. Specifically, the plaintiffs asserted that the evidence established genuine issues of material fact as to whether "Gold Bond" was an asbestos-containing joint compound, whether Harris Robertson routinely used the asbestos-containing "Gold Bond" joint compound in his drywall work, and whether Harris Robertson (or other people for or with whom he worked) purchased the asbestos-containing joint compound "Gold Bond" from Sherwin-Williams' stores.
The deposition testimony of Harris Robertson's three brothers established that Harris Robertson was a drywall finisher and painter in residential construction from the early 1960s until 2003, when he was no longer able to work due to his disease. By all accounts, the entire drywall finishing process—from mixing the dry joint-compound products in a bucket, sanding the walls and ceilings, and cleaning the area afterwards—was a very dusty process, during which they would inhale the dust and the dust would fall all over them and their clothing.
Harris Robertson initially started performing drywall finishing work and painting in the Lafayette area. Harold Robertson testified that he performed some work with Harris Robertson during this time, and specifically recalled that they used "Gold Bond," "Welcote" and "Georgia-Pacific" joint compounds. Harold Robertson testified that Harris Robertson purchased his supplies from "Sherwin-Williams," "Doug Ashy," "Georgia Pacific," "Glidden," "Northside," and "Top's." With regard to Harris Robertson's purchases from "Sherwin-Williams," Harold Robertson admitted that he did not know if the stores were owned by Sherwin-Williams or whether it was a store owned by someone else that sold Sherwin-Williams products. Harold Robertson admitted that he did not go with Harris Robertson to buy the supplies, but he knew that Harris Robertson purchased his supplies from Sherwin-Williams because Harris Robertson would tell Harold Robertson that was where he had been. Harold Robertson did not know whether any of the joint-compound purchased at Sherwin-Williams contained asbestos, but simply recalled using a lot of "Gold Bond" joint compound.
Around 1965, Harris Robertson moved to Baton Rouge to work for two painting contractors, Martin Richard and R.B. Parker. Harold Robertson testified that he moved to Baton Rouge to help Harris Robertson with the drywall finishing and painting work that he was performing for Martin Richard. During the time that Harris Robertson and Harold Robertson were working in Baton Rouge for Martin Richard, Martin Richard purchased all of their supplies—including the joint compound and paint—from Glidden and Sherwin-Williams. Harold Robertson specifically recalled using "Gold Bond" and "Welcote" joint compounds while working with Harris Robertson in Baton Rouge.
Raymond Robertson testified that in 1968, he also moved to Baton Rouge to perform drywall finishing and painting work for Martin Richard. Raymond Robertson testified that while working for Martin Richard, Martin Richard supplied their paint and joint compound, and specifically recalled that Martin Richard purchased those supplies (the paint and joint compound) from Sherwin-Williams because he rode with Martin Richard to the store, which had a Sherwin-Williams sign in the front of it.
Around 1970, Harris Robertson left Baton Rouge and moved back to the Lafayette area and performed drywall finishing and painting work for V.P. Pierret, Ray Montgomery, Gene Bienvenu, and himself. Raymond Robertson testified that he also moved back to the Lafayette area around this time and went to work for Harris Robertson. Raymond Robertson testified that at that time, either the contractor or Harris Robertson furnished the supplies, and he specifically recalled Harris Robertson making purchases from "Top's," "Doug Ashy," "Northside," "Glidden," and "Sherwin-Williams" and using "Gold Bond" products.
According to Sherwin-Williams' responses to interrogatories and requests for production of documents, Sherwin-Williams admitted and submitted supporting documentation that it manufactured, marketed and/or sold the following products that contained asbestos: Hi-Bild Texture Coating H66WY16 and Heavy Duty Latex Paint Bone White B85WA129. Sherwin-Williams also admitted and submitted supporting documentation that it sold, through its stores, the asbestos-containing joint compound products of Proko, U.S. Gypsum, National Gypsum and Bondex/Reardon. Furthermore, according to the documents produced by Sherwin-Williams, National Gypsum manufactured numerous "Gold Bond" joint compounds which contained asbestos and that the dry joint compounds and cements it manufactured contained asbestos from approximately 1935 until late 1975, and that the sales of the asbestos-containing joint compounds may have continued until 1976. National Gypsum purchased its asbestos fibers in the 1960s primarily from Johns-Manville and in 1967, began purchasing asbestos from Union Carbide.
Based on our de novo review of the record, we find that the plaintiffs have put forth sufficient evidence establishing that there are genuine issues of material fact as to whether "Gold Bond" was an asbestos-containing joint compound, whether Harris Robertson routinely and regularly used and inhaled (and was thus significantly exposed to) the asbestos-containing "Gold Bond" joint compound in his drywall finishing work, and whether Harris Robertson (or other people for or with whom he worked) purchased the asbestos-containing joint compound "Gold Bond" from Sherwin-Williams' stores. Accordingly, we conclude that Sherwin-Williams was not entitled to summary judgment on the issue of whether Harris Robertson had substantial asbestos exposure from products bought at Sherwin-Williams owned stores.
Furthermore, since we have concluded that Sherwin-Williams was not entitled to summary judgment on the issues before the court in its motion for summary judgment, we must likewise conclude that Sherwin-Williams was not entitled to a new trial on its motion for summary judgment and that the trial court abused its discretion in granting Sherwin-Williams' motion for new trial. Therefore, the April 5, 2011 judgment of the trial court granting Sherwin-Williams' motion for new trial and granting Sherwin-Williams' motion for summary judgment is reversed.
According to the record, the plaintiffs are relying on the expert opinion of Dr. Mark to establish that Harris Robertson's significant exposure to asbestos-containing joint compounds manufactured or sold by the defendants was a substantial factor in bringing about or causing his mesothelioma.
In Sherwin-Williams' motion to strike, it sought an order precluding Dr. Mark from "offering unreliable testimony that `any fiber' or `every exposure above background' was a substantial contributing factor in causing Mr. Harris Robertson's disease."
A hearing on the motion to strike was held on January 19, 2010. At the hearing, no testimonial evidence was offered by either Sherwin-Williams or the plaintiffs. Instead, they both relied on the exhibits attached to their respective memorandums on the matter. Following the argument of counsel on the issue, the trial court ruled as follows:
On February 23, 2010, the trial court signed a judgment with regard to this motion, which provided:
On appeal, the plaintiffs contend that the trial court erred in granting the motion to strike and in granting and signing a judgment that far exceeded the scope of
First and foremost, we agree with the plaintiffs that both Sherwin-Williams and the trial court have mischaracterized the substance of Dr. Mark's testimony. We have reviewed the affidavit and the expert report attached thereto of Dr. Mark that are contained in the record and do not see that Dr. Mark opined that every single asbestos fiber inhaled contributes to an individual's mesothelioma or that the inhalation of a single asbestos fiber was sufficient to cause mesothelioma. Instead, based on our review, we find that Dr. Mark's opinion, in sum, is that each "special" exposure to asbestos constitutes a significant contributing factor, and he defined a "special" exposure as an exposure for which there is scientific reason to conclude that such an exposure creates the risk of developing the disease, and that each of the special exposures to asbestos contributes to the total dose that causes diffuse malignant mesothelioma in a given patient and, in doing so, shortens the period necessary for diffuse malignant mesothelioma to develop. Since each exposure to asbestos contributes to the total dose of asbestos disease and shortens the necessary period for asbestos disease to develop, Dr. Mark concludes that each exposure to asbestos is, therefore, a substantial contributing factor to the development of the disease that actually occurred, when it actually occurs.
Next, we must determine whether the trial court erred in concluding that Dr. Mark's opinions with regard to causation were "unreliable." Under the Louisiana Code of Evidence, a witness qualified as an expert by "knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education" should be allowed to testify if his "scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue." La. C.E. art. 702; see Corkern v. T.K. Valve, 2004-2293, p. 5 (La.App. 1st Cir.3/29/06), 934 So.2d 102, 105.
In Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993), the United States Supreme Court set forth the criteria for determining the reliability of expert scientific testimony. The United States Supreme Court found that when, "[f]aced with a proffer of expert scientific testimony,... the trial judge must determine at the outset ... whether the expert is proposing to testify to (1) scientific knowledge that (2) will assist the trier of fact to understand or determine a fact in issue." Daubert, 509 U.S. at 592, 113 S.Ct. at 2796. The Supreme Court explained that this would entail a "preliminary assessment of whether the reasoning or methodology underlying the testimony is scientifically valid and of whether that reasoning or methodology properly can be applied to the facts in issue." Daubert, 509 U.S. at 592-593, 113 S.Ct. at 2796. The Supreme Court then enumerated factors that the trial court may consider in fulfilling this "gatekeeping role:" the testability or refutability of the expert's theory or technique; whether the technique has been subjected to peer review and/or publication; the known or potential rate of error; and whether the technique or methodology is generally accepted by the scientific community. See Daubert, 509 U.S. at 593-594, 113 S.Ct. at 2796-2797. This list of factors is meant to be helpful, not definitive. Kumho Tire Company, Ltd. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 151, 119 S.Ct. 1167, 1175, 143 L.Ed.2d 238 (1999).
The factual basis for an expert's opinion determines the reliability of the testimony. An unsupported opinion can offer no assistance to the fact finder and should not be admitted as expert testimony. Miramon v. Bradley, 96-1872 (La. App. 1st Cir.9/23/97), 701 So.2d 475, 478. The trial court's inquiry must be tied to the specific facts of the particular case. The abuse of discretion standard applies to the trial court's ultimate conclusion as to whether to exclude expert witness testimony and to the court's decision as to how to determine reliability. Brown v. City of Madisonville, 2007-2104, p. 7 (La.App. 1st Cir.11/24/08), 5 So.3d 874, 881, writ denied, 2008-2987 (La.2/20/08), 1 So.3d 498.
It is important to note, however, that there is a crucial difference between questioning the methodology employed by an expert witness and questioning the application of that methodology or the ultimate conclusions derived from that application. Only a question of the validity of the methodology employed brings Daubert into play. MSOF Corporation v. Exxon Corporation, 2004-0988, p. 12 (La.App. 1st Cir. 12/22/05), 934 So.2d 708, 718, writ denied, 2006-1669 (La.10/6/06), 938 So.2d 78. Additionally, Daubert concerns admissibility of the expert's opinion and not his qualifications as an expert in the area tendered. Id. If a trial court conducts no Daubert analysis of any kind, the exclusion of the expert's evidence without an evaluation of the relevant reliability factors is legal error. See Corkern, 2004-2293 at pp. 6-7, 934 So.2d at 107.
Although we briefly summarized Dr. Mark's opinion hereinabove, we will now carefully examine the January 21, 2010 affidavit ("the affidavit") of Dr. Mark. According to the affidavit, Dr. Mark was asked to review the case of Harris Robertson and authored a letter (or expert report) dated August 5, 2008, which was attached as an exhibit to the affidavit. Based on his review of the material, he concluded that Harris Robertson was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma. As stated in his expert report, Dr. Mark concluded that based on the exposure history, "all special exposures to asbestos contributed to and caused this lethal diffused malignant mesothelioma." Further, in his opinion, all of Harris Robertson's "special exposures to asbestos were significant contributing factors in the development of his diffused malignant mesothelioma."
Dr. Mark stated that all of his statements in his expert report and in his affidavit were made with a reasonable degree of medical certainty, were based on his knowledge, experience and training, and were based on the materials described in the affidavit. He further stated that the facts stated in the affidavit were sufficient to form a reliable basis for his opinion, that he was familiar with all of the literature cited in the affidavit that were used to formulate his medical opinions in the case, and that the methodology and basis for his opinions were not novel and were generally accepted in the medical and scientific community.
Dr. Mark stated that in formulating his opinion in this case, he reviewed: defense expert reports received by counsel for the plaintiffs, Harris Robertson's medical and billing records, the deposition testimony of Bobby Robertson, Harold Robertson, Raymond Robertson, Frances Robertson, and
According to these materials, it was his understanding that Harris Robertson was a career drywall finisher and painter (in residential construction) from the early 1960s through the time of his diagnosis; that the entire drywall finishing process, including the mixing of the dry joint compound, the application of mud, the sanding of the mud, and the clean-up process, was very dusty; and that Harris Robertson and his brothers routinely or mainly used Gold Bond, Welcote, and Georgia-Pacific joint compound (or sheetrock mud). Additionally, he stated that in reaching his opinions, he took into account Harris Robertson's use of a dust mask and respirator during the course of his drywall finishing work.
Dr. Mark emphasized in his affidavit that he did "not believe that exposure to a single asbestos fiber can cause mesothelioma or any other asbestos related disease" but rather it was his opinion that "every special exposure to asbestos contributes to cause mesothelioma." In determining the relative contribution of any exposure to asbestos, Dr. Mark stated that it is important to consider a number of factors, including, but not limited to: the nature of exposure, the level of exposure and the duration of exposure, whether a product gives off respirable asbestos fibers, whether a person was close or far from the source of fiber released, how frequently the exposure took place, how long the exposure lasted, whether engineering or other methods of dust control were in place, whether respiratory protection was used, the chemistry and physics of asbestos fibers, the pathophysiology of breathing, the movement of asbestos fibers in the lung, the molecular pathology of tumor development, and other scientific disciplines. Additionally, he stated that the "dose response model" for risk assessment has been used by OSHA, NIOSH, and other governmental entities for more than two decades, and that he relied upon the attribution criteria espoused in the "
Additionally, in Dr. Mark's affidavit, he explained that diffuse malignant mesothelioma is a dose response disease—the more someone is exposed to asbestos, the greater their risk for development of the disease. He stated that he believes there is a dose response relationship between the amount of asbestos to which an individual is exposed and the risk of developing mesothelioma and that this concept is generally accepted in the medical and scientific communities. He further explained that because asbestos dust is so strongly associated with mesothelioma, proof of significant exposure to asbestos dust is proof of specific causation, that the causal relationship between exposure to asbestos dust and the development of mesothelioma is so firmly established in the scientific literature that it is "accepted as a scientific `fact,'" and that diffuse malignant mesothelioma is known as a "Signal Tumor" for asbestos exposure and indicates prior asbestos exposure, even when the victim cannot recall the exposure which may have occurred years previously or may not have been apparent at the time. Dr. Mark stated that it was his opinion that diffuse malignant mesothelioma is a dose response disease and that the resulting disease is the cumulative result of the exposures to asbestos that a person receives.
Dr. Mark explained that the exposures to asbestos described by Harris Robertson's
Dr. Mark then concluded that it was his opinion with a reasonable degree of medical certainty that the ongoing exposure to dust from asbestos-containing finishing products, including joint compound, as described by Harris Robertson's co-workers (brothers), and such cumulative exposures from Harris Robertson's work with and around such products substantially contributed to the development of his malignant mesothelioma. Dr. Mark also specifically opined that to the extent that the Gold Bond, Welcote, and Georgia-Pacific products contained asbestos, Harris Robertson's exposure to those finishing products was a substantial contributing factor in his development of malignant mesothelioma. Lastly, Dr. Mark noted that his opinions with regard to the specific causation of Harris Robertson's malignant mesothelioma were based on his review of the evidence of exposure in this case, the medical and scientific literature cited in the affidavit concerning asbestos exposure and disease, and his knowledge, skill, experience and training as a physician who has studied in asbestos diseases for over four decades.
The Louisiana Legislature recently amended La. C.C.P. art. 1425 to set out exactly what is required from the parties and the court when conducting a hearing under Daubert and ruling on the admissibility of an expert's proffered testimony. See 2008 La. Acts, No. 787 § 1. This article contains the following pertinent provisions:
At the hearing on the motion to strike, Sherwin-Williams did not offer any testimony, affidavits, or other admissible evidence to contradict or to question the reliability of any of the statements contained in Dr. Mark's affidavit. In fact, the only evidence offered by Sherwin-Williams in support of its motion to strike were the exhibits attached to its memorandum in support of the motion,
Although the trial court ultimately concluded that Dr. Mark's opinion on causation
While we recognize that the trial court concluded that Dr. Mark lacked a foundation to offer an opinion on causation, had no epidemiology studies to rely on, and did not know what the dose of asbestos would have been as to any particular defendant, there is no factual evidence in the record before us to support any of these conclusions. For instance, there is no evidence as to whether Dr. Mark did or did not rely on epidemiology. In this regard, we cannot find, nor have we been directed to, any authority for the trial court's determination that epidemiological evidence is required to establish causation of an individual's disease. Absent such authority, we must conclude that such evidence is not necessary. See Warren v. Sabine Towing and Transportation Company, Inc., 2001-0573, pp. 10-12 (La.App. 3rd Cir. 10/30/02), 831 So.2d 517, 527-528, writs denied, 2002-2926, 2002-2927, 2002-2936 (La.2/14/03), 836 So.2d 116, 117 (concluding that epidemiological evidence linking benzene to myeloproliferative disorder was not necessary to establish that the plaintiffs occupational exposure to benzene caused his disorder) and c.f. Sharkey v. Sterling Drug, Inc., 600 So.2d 701, 712 (La.App. 1st Cir.), writs denied, 605 So.2d 1099, 1100 (La.1992) (noting that proof of causation, based in part on epidemiological studies as the basis for expert opinion, "is allowed"). Additionally, there is no evidence in the record as to whether Dr. Mark knew or did not know the dose as to any particular defendant. On this issue, again, we cannot find, nor have we been directed to, any authority for the trial court's determination that a plaintiff must prove or that an expert must know the "dose" of asbestos as to each particular defendant in order to establish causation. Rather, based on our review of the jurisprudence, the plaintiff is only required to show "significant exposure to the [asbestos-containing] product complained of to the extent that it was a substantial factor in bringing about his injury." Rando, 2008-1163 at p. 35, 16 So.3d at 1091.
Therefore, based on the record before us, we must conclude that Sherwin-Williams failed to prove that Dr. Mark's opinions on specific or medical causation were unreliable, and in the absence of such evidence or any analysis of the Daubert factors, we must conclude that the trial court legally erred in granting Sherwin-Williams' motion to strike. Accordingly, the February 23, 2010 judgment of the trial court in this regard is reversed.
For all of the above and foregoing reasons, the February 23, 2010 judgment of
All costs of this appeal are assessed to the defendant/appellee, The Sherwin-Williams Company.
McCLENDON, J., concurs and assigns reasons.
McCLENDON, J., concurs and assigns reasons.
I concur in the result reached by the majority.
