Document v6nBbMQzjZM70rd8mpXx5OX9q
PLAINTIFF'S EXHIBIT
IL036a.ASB 08/20/90
STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
COUNTY OF MCLEAN
DELMAR ALSENE AND MARY ALSENE Plaintiffs,
vs. ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES,INC. et al.,
Defendants.
)
) )
) ) ) )
) ) )
)
NO.89 L 141
DEFENDANT, OWENS-ILLINOIS, INC.'S ANSWERS TO PLAINTIFFS' FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES
PRELIMINARY STATEMENT
Some of the events which may be relevant to the matters inquired about by Plaintiffs' Interrogatories apparently occurred more than thirty-five years ago. In addition, effective April 30, 1958, Owens-Illinois, Inc. disposed of the business involved in this action by way of sale of that business to Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation. Since that time, Owens-Illinois, Inc. has not engaged in any such business. It does not now and it has not since that sale manufactured, distributed or sold any asbestoscontaining products. As a result of the foregoing factors, many of the individuals who might have had personal knowledge of the matters to which plaintiffs' interrogatories relate are deceased, or are otherwise unavailable to Owens-Illinois, Inc., and inves tigations to date indicate that at least some documents which relate to matters inquired about by these interrogatories may have been transferred to Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation with
1
SEP 1 2 1990
the transfer of the business in question in 1958. Owens-Illi nois, Inc. is engaged in a continuing investigation in an attempt to locate, confirm the transfer of, or confirm'the absence of, such documents and is also engaged in a continuing investigation into the matters inquired about in these interrogatories. Unless otherwise stated in an answer to a specific interrogatory, the answers set out hereinafter are limited to the period during which Owens-Illinois, Inc. manufactured asbestos-containing insulation products and to the facilities related to that busi ness. The following is a part of and is incorporated by refer ence in every answer provided hereinafter:
This answer is accurate as of the date made. However, Owens-Illinois, Inc.'s investigation is continuing, and OwensIllinois, Inc. cannot exclude the possibility that it may be able to obtain more complete information or even information which indicates that the answer being supplied is incorrect. Owens-Illinois, Inc. objects to answering this interrogatory in regard to any period of time other than the period during which it engaged in the business involved in this case which ended in mid-1958 or concerning any facility not related to that business, on the basis that any such answer would be irrelevant to the subject matter of the pending litigation, would not be reason ably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence, and would be burdensome and oppressive.
Furthermore, Owens-Illinois, Inc. objects to the instructions and definitions supplied by plaintiffs with regard to these interrogatories, on the basis that the definitions are
2
overbroad, vague, and often inconsistent with the normal usage and meaning of such words, and the instructions are overbroad, burdensome and constitute an unreasonable expartsion of the interrogatories themselves. Owens-Illinois, Inc. therefore gives notice that it does not consider itself bound by the instructions and definitions propounded by plaintiffs, and instead shall answer the interrogatories in a manner consistent with a normal understanding of the language used in the interrogatory and to the extent necessary to fairly and fully answer the interrogatory.
Q. l.
Have these interrogatories been answered
fully and in good faith to the extent of the actual knowledge and
information available to Defendant, Owens-Illinois, Inc., its
insurance carrier(s) and attorneys as required by Battershell v.
Bowman Dairy Co., 37 111. App. 2d 193, 201 (1st Dist. 1961)?
A. 1.
This Defendant states that it has referred to
the relevant business records of the Owens-Illinois Glass
Company, which are still in the possession of Owens-Illinois,
Inc., in connection with the preparation of answers to these
interrogatories unless otherwise indicated.
Q. 2.
Is the Defendant, Owens-Illinois, Inc., a
corporation? If so, state:
(a) the exact corporate name;
(b) the state of incorporation;
(c) the name and address and position
within Defendant of the person providing sworn answers to these
interrogatories.
A. 2.
Owens-Illinois Glass Company was incorporated
in the State of Ohio in 1929. Owens-Illinois Glass Company
changed its name to Owens-Illinois, Inc. on April 28, 1965. Due
to corporate restructuring in 1987, this defendant is now a
3
Delaware corporation. Arthur H. Smith, Assistant Secretary of Owens-Illinois, Inc., One SeaGate, Toledo, Ohio 43666.
Q. 3.
Has anyone obtained from any person a
statement (whether oral or written, signed or unsigned)
concerning the occurrence involved in this cause of action? If
so, state as to each statement:
(a) the name and last known address of the
person making the statement;
(b) when, where and by whom the statement
was taken;
(c) is there any tangible preservation of
the statement, such as a document signed by the person making the
statement, a tape-recording, a transcript or a memorandum
purporting to reflect what was said?
(d) if your answer to (c) is affirmative,
state the name and address of the person having possession of the
tangible preservation of the statement.
A. 3.
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
as being irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
discovery of admissible evidence and not limited to any issue
which is the subject of this case. This defendant further
objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that it seeks
information within the work-product privilege and on the ground
that it is oppressive and burdensome in that it would have to
review all of the files and all of the records of all of its
attorneys all over the country to respond to this interrogatory.
Q. 4.
Has any private firm or company adjuster
investigated the occurrence or asked questions of persons who may
have knowledge of facts concerning the occurrence? If so, state
the full name and address of each firm or adjuster.
4
A. 4.
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
as being irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
discovery of admissible evidence and not limit4d to any issue
which is the subject of this case. This defendant further
objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that it seeks
information within the work-product privilege and on the ground
that it is oppressive and burdensome in that it would have to
review all of the files and all of the records of all of its
attorneys all over the country to respond to this interrogatory.
Q. 5.
Do you have any information regarding Delmar
Alsene's physical condition other than that information furnished
you by the Plaintiffs' counsel? If so, state the nature of that
information, the name and address of its source, and if
documentary in nature, who now has each.
A. 5.
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
as being irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
discovery of admissible evidence and not limited to any issue
which is the subject of this case. This defendant further
objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that it seeks
information within the work-product privilege and on the ground
that it is oppressive and burdensome in that it would have to
review all of the files and all of the records of all of its
attorneys all over the country to respond to this interrogatory.
Q. 6.
Were any photos taken of Delmar Alsene? If
so, state the total number of photos, the date of each photo,
each subject, and who has each.
A. 6.
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
as being irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
discovery of admissible evidence and not limited to any issue
which is the subject of this case. This defendant further
objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that it seeks
5
information within the work-product privilege and on the ground that it is oppressive and burdensome in that it would have to review all of the files and all of the records of all of its attorneys all over the country to respond to this interrogatory.
Q. 7.
Were you named or covered under any policy of
liability insurance, which may be construed to provide coverage
for any claim stated in the Complaint? If so, as to each policy,
state:
(a) the name of the company;
(b) the policy number;
(c) the effective period;
(d) the maximum liability limits for:
(1) injury to any one person;
(2) aggregate personal injury
limits;
(e) what amounts, if any, have previously
been paid under the policy which in the opinion of the carrier
reduces the coverage available;
(f) whether the carrier denied coverage or
tendered a defense under a reservation of rights;
(g) whether the policy contains any first
party medical pay or disability coverage, and, if so, describe
the coverage.
A. 7.
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
on the ground that it seeks irrelevant and immaterial information
which is not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of
admissible evidence. Expressly reserving and without waiving its
objections, and subject to them, this defendant states that the
issues surrounding its insurance coverage for asbestos claims are
complex. Because of disputes over possible insurance coverage,
this defendant has engaged in litigation against certain insur
ance carriers which may provide coverage for asbestos claims.
One such lawsuit resulted in a decision of the United States
6
District Court of the District of Columbia in Owens-Illinois. Inc, v. Aetna Casualty and Surety Company. 597 F.Supp. 1515 (D.D.C. 1984) .
The litigation between this defendant and Aetna Casualty and Surety Co. has been settled. The terms and conditions of the settlement agreement are confidential, and as a consequence, the parties are precluded from disclosing the terms or contents of the agreement. Litigation with other insurance carriers is ongoing.
Q. 8.
Which, if any, of the carriers listed in your
answer to the preceding interrogatory are providing a defense
this suit?
A. 8.
Refer to objection to Interrogatory No. 7.
Q. 9.
Identify those expert witnesses (as defined
in Supreme Court Rule 220(a)(1)) from whom you may offer opinion
testimony at trial, and for each such expert, state:
(a) his name, current address, telephone
number, occupation, and employer;
(b) the subject matter on which the expert
is expected to testify;
(c) his conclusions and opinions and the
bases therefore;
(d) his qualifications, including all
formal education subsequent to high school, a history of his
employment and the citation to each of his published writings;
(e) the amount paid, or agreed to be paid
to him, specifying his hourly rate of compensation;
(f) the name of the first plaintiff, first
defendant, the court in which filed, and the cause number for
every cause in which such expert has testified, whether at
deposition or trial and the date of his testimony
7
A. 9. The identity of expert witnesses to be called at trial is not known at the present time. This defendant reserves the right to designate at a later date' expert witnesses to be used at trial.
Q. 10.
Has Defendant ever had one or more persons
whose primary responsibility included looking after or monitoring
the health of defendant's employees, such as a medical director?
If so, state the following as to each person who has held this
position:
(a) the name and address of the person;
(b) the name of the position he or she
held;
(c) the dates during which he or she held
the position;
(d) the address of his or her office
during the time he or she held the position;
(e) state whether there was a written job
description for that position at that time;
(f) if there was a written job
description, set forth the words of the description or attach a
copy hereto.
A. 10.
Charles Shook, M.D., deceased, employed from
March 25, 1946 until June 30, 1960 was the Medical Director
during the period in which this defendant manufactured, sold or
distributed asbestos-containing products. He reported to the
Vice President of Corporate Staff, Director of Corporate
Personnel. This defendant's chief medical officer is responsible
for assuring and promoting preventive and corrective medical
programs, services and practices to protect and preserve employee
health and productivity throughout Owens-Illinois, Inc. The
individual in this position develops, organizes, introduces and
implements pre-employment and periodic examinations as well as
8
new health programs in order to insure the continued well being of defendant's employees in a safe and healthy environment. The person in this position is also responsible fqr the quality of medical services at Owens-Illinois locations.
Q. 11.
Has Defendant ever directed or contributed
money toward a study of the effects of asbestos exposure upon the
health of some or ?ill of its employees? If so, state the
following as to each such study:
(a) the description or title of the study;
(b) the dates during which it was made;
(c) the location or locations of the
plants at which the employees were employed;
(d) the number of employees studied;
(e) brief description of the study;
(f) whether any of the results were
reported into written form, and if so, who now has a copy of the
report.
A. 11.
This defendant ceased the manufacture, sale
and distribution of asbestos-containing products in 1958 and does
not have any records from which it can obtain information
sufficient to answer this interrogatory.
During May, 1979, various papers and reports were
produced by an employee of 'the Trudeau Institute, Mr. Allan
Logie, regarding animal experiments conducted at laboratories at
Saranac Lake involving dust collected during the Kaylo
manufacturing process. These papers and reports may contain
information relating to the substance of this interrogatory.
This defendant has not been able to find these papers and reports
in its business records or correspondence although it has
searched for and continues to search for them.
This defendant's counsel obtained copies of some of the
papers and reports produced by Mr. Logie. However, these copies
constitute only a portion of a larger volume of papers and
9
reports which this defendant has not copied. They are available through Winne, Banta, Rizzi, Hetherington & Basralian, 25 E. Salem Street, Hackensack, New Jersey. This defendant also has reason to believe that plaintiffs' counsel has copies of the documents produced by Mr. Logie. Other documents possibly relating to this interrogatory may have been produced by OwensCorning Fiberglas Corporation in the asbestos litigation.
Those documents found at Saranac Lake and at OwensCorning Fiberglas Corporation and elsewhere, indicate that during the period of time when Owens-Illinois was in the business of manufacturing asbestos-containing products, the state of government, industrial hygiene and medical community knowledge was that there was a recognized safe exposure level for asbestos dust and that persons installing insulation were not exposed to excessive or hazardous levels of asbestos dust. The foregoing documents also indicate that Kaylo plant employees were x-rayed periodically and displayed no asbestos-related chest disease; that this defendant made appropriate efforts to provide ventilation and to control the emissions of all dust emitted during the manufacturing process within recognized safe levels of exposure, including the use of respirators in some instances, dust collection equipment and other devices as necessary; and that therefore during the period in which this defendant was in the business of manufacturing Kaylo it had no reason to believe that the foreseeable use of Kaylo would create a hazard to users.
The documents produced by Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation indicate that the September, 1955 publication in the A.M.A. Archives of Industrial Health was a publication of inhalation experiments.
To the extent that this interrogatory seeks the production of documents, such documents, as outlined in this response, have not been found as part of this defendant's records and, to the extent that this defendant is in possession of copies of documents, it possesses copies only of documents collected in
10
preparation for litigation. This defendant objects to producing the same. The documents are available from their proper source.
Q. 12.
Have there been any studies of the effect of
asbestos exposure upon the health of any of Defendant's
employees? If so, state:
(a) the description or title of the study;
(b) the dates during which it was made;
(c) the location or locations of the
plants at which the employees were employed; (d) the number of employees studied;
(e) brief description of the study;
(f) whether any of the results were
reported into written form, and if so, who now has a copy of the
report.
A. 12.
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
as being vague, ambiguous, unintelligible, irrelevant, overly
broad, burdensome and oppressive, not reasonably calculated to
lead to the discovery of admissible evidence and not limited to
any issue which is the subject of this case.
Q. 13.
Is asbestosis caused by exposure to asbestos?
A. 13. This defendant objects to this interrogatory on the ground that it is vague, ambiguous, overly broad, and seeks an expert medical opinion which this defendant is not qualified to render.Without waiving the above objection, During the period of time in which this defendant engaged in the manufacture, sale and distribution of its asbestos-containing products, it was this defendant's understanding that the inhala tion of asbestos dust in excessive amounts over a prolonged period of time (years), under certain conditions, could lead to the potential hazard of contracting a disease known as asbesto sis. However, in 1958 and before and for some years thereafter,
11
the state of the medical and scientific knowledge was to the
effect that there was a safe level of asbestos to which a person
could be exposed without risk of injury and to the effect that
persons such as plaintiffs were not exposed to excessive amounts
of asbestos.
Q. 14.
If your answer to the preceding interrogatory
is in the affirmative, when did Defendant first learn that
asbestosis was caused by exposure to asbestos?
A. 14.
Refer to objection to Interrogatory No. 13.
To the extent this interrogatory inquires as to asbestos-contain
ing products manufactured or sold by other defendants, this
defendant states that it does not have any records from which it
can obtain information sufficient to answer this interrogatory,
nor can it locate any present employees with knowledge thereof.
Insofar as this interrogatory inquires as to asbestos-
containing products manufactured by this defendant, this defen
dant states that it ceased the manufacture, sale and distribution
of asbestos-containing products effective April 30, 1958, and has
not engaged in any such business since.
During May 1979, various papers and reports were
produced by an employee of the Trudeau Institute, Mr. Allan
Logie, regarding animal experiments conducted at laboratories at
Saranac Lake involving dust collected during the Kaylo
manufacturing process. ' These papers and reports may contain
information relating to the substance of this interrogatory.
This defendant has not been able to find these papers and reports
in its business records or correspondence although it has
searched for and continues to search for them.
This defendant's counsel obtained copies of some of the
papers and reports produced by Mr. Logie. However, these copies
constitute only a portion of a larger volume of papers and
reports which this defendant has not copied. This defendant also
has reason to believe that plaintiffs' counsel has copies of the
documents produced by Mr. Logie. They are available through
12
Winne, Banta, Rizzi, Hetherington & Basralian, 25 E. Salem
Street, Hackensack, New Jersey. Other documents possibly relat
ing to this interrogatory may have been produced by Owens-Coming
Fiberglas Corporation. Those documents indicate that experiments
referred to in the documents produced by Mr. Logie were published
in an AMA publication in September 1955. As with the documents
produced by Mr. Logie, the documents produced by Owens-Coming
Fiberglas Corporation have not been found as part of this defen
dant's records.
The foregoing documents indicate that during the time
in which this defendant engaged in the manufacture, sale and
distribution of asbestos-containing products, its products
contained a relatively small proportion of asbestos when compared
to other asbestos-containing products in use during and prior to
the same period of time.
It appears that this defendant's
employees at its asbestos product manufacturing plants were x-
rayed periodically and displayed no asbestos-related che^st
disease, although in the course of their employment they were
exposed to the raw materials of this defendant's products as well
as the dust of the finished product. Furthermore, these
documents indicate that there were no worker's compensation
claims filed by its employees for asbestos-related diseases. ,
It was this defendant's understanding of the state of
medical and industrial hygiene knowledge that exposure to asbes
tos in excessive amounts over a prolonged period of time (years),
in the conditions typically experienced in factories, workshops,
and possibly mines and mills could lead to the potential hazard
of contracting a disease known as asbestosis.
However, the state of medical and industrial hygiene
knowledge was also to the effect that there was a safe level
(threshold limit value) of asbestos to which a person could be
exposed without risk of injury. This defendant was aware of the
threshold limit value for asbestos as published by the American
Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGlH) in the
1940's and 1950's through publications by the Industrial Hygiene
13
Foundation, ACGIH and from the above referenced "Logie" and "OCF" documents.
In addition, it appears that an employee of this defendant subscribed to and received the Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology which contained in January 1946 an article published by the Navy entitled, "A Health Survey of Pipe Covering Operations in Constructing Naval Vessels," by Fleischer, Viles, Gade and Drinker. This article stated that persons who worked as insulators in shipyards were not exposed and did not work in conditions similar to those experienced in factories, workshops, mines and mills, and were not exposed to levels of asbestos above the recognized safe limits. Therefore, the article concluded that such persons were not engaged in a hazardous occupation.
From the foregoing papers, reports and articles, this defendant had no reason to believe that exposure to its asbestoscontaining products would result in a foreseeable risk of harm to users.
This defendant reserves the right to supplement this response as discovery and the case warrant. This defendant has reason to believe that plaintiffs' counsel is in possession of a substantial library of asbestos-related literature containing articles that defendant may wish to rely upon.
To the extent that this interrogatory seeks the production of documents, such documents, as outlined in this response, have not been found as part of this defendant's records and, to the extent that this defendant is in possession of copies of documents, it possesses copies only of documents collected in preparation for litigation. This defendant objects to producing the same. The documents are available from their proper source..
Q. 15.
Can lung cancer be caused by exposure to
asbestos?
A. 15. This defendant objects to this interrogatory
on the basis that the term caused is vague, ambiguous and
unintelligible. Defendant also objects on the basis that its
14
present knowledge is irrelevant to this action in that evidence of a causal connection between cancer and asbestos was first accepted by medical science after the period o time defendant ceased the manufacture of asbestos-containing products. Without waiving its objections, defendant is informed and believes that at no time prior to 1958 was there reason to believe that the medical and scientific community accepted that there was a causal connection established between exposure to asbestos and a risk of contracting cancer.
Q. 16.
If your answer to the preceding interrogatory
is in the affirmative, when did Defendant first learn that lung
cancer can be caused by exposure to asbestos?
A. 16.
Refer to objection to Interrogatory No. 15.
Q. 17.
Does exposure to asbestos increase the
incidence of lung cancer?
A. 17
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
on the basis that the term increase the incidence is vague,
ambiguous and unintelligible. Defendant also objects on the
basis that its present knowledge is irrelevant to this action in
that evidence of a causal connection between cancer and asbestos
was first accepted by medical science after the period of time
defendant ceased the manufacture of asbestos-containing products.
Without waiving its objections, defendant is informed and
believes that at no time prior to 1958 was there reason to
believe that the medical and scientific community accepted that
there was a causal connection established between exposure to
asbestos and a risk of contracting cancer.
15
Q. 18.
If your answer to the preceding interrogatory
is in the affirmative, state when Defendant first learned that
exposure to asbestos increased the incidence ofi lung cancer.
A. 18.
Refer to objection to Interrogatory No. 17
Q. asbestos?
19.
Can mesothelioma be caused by exposure to
A. 19. This defendant objects to this interrogatory on the basis that the term caused is vague, ambiguous and unintelligible. Defendant also objects on the basis that its present knowledge is irrelevant to this action in that evidence of a causal connection between cancer and asbestos was first accepted by medical science after the period of time defendant ceased the manufacture of asbestos-containing products. Without waiving its objections, defendant is informed and believes that at no time prior to 1958 was there reason to believe that the medical and scientific community accepted that there was a causal connection established between exposure to asbestos and a risk of contracting mesothelioma.
Q. 20.
If your answer to the preceding interrogatory
is in the affirmative, when did Defendant first learn that
mesothelioma can be caused by exposure to asbestos?
A. 20. Refer to objection to Interrogatory No. 19
Q. 21.
Does exposure to asbestos increase the
incidence of mesothelioma?
A. 21. This defendant objects to this interrogatory on the basis that the term increase the incidence is vague, ambiguous and unintelligible. Defendant also objects on the basis that its present knowledge is irrelevant to this action in
16
that evidence of a causal connection between cancer and asbestos was first accepted by medical science after the period of time defendant ceased the manufacture of asbestos-containing products, without waiving its objections, defendant is informed and believes that at no time prior to 1958 was there reason to believe that the medical and scientific community accepted that there was a causal connection established between exposure to asbestos and a risk of contracting mesothelioma.
Q. 22.
If your answer to the preceding interrogatory
is in the affirmative, state when Defendant first learned that
exposure to asbestos increased the incidence of mesothelioma.
A. 22. Refer to objection to Interrogatory No. 21.
Q. 23. List the following information for each claim brought against Defendant by a present or former employee of Defendant or the spouse or child of a deceased such employee alleging a disease or condition of ill-being caused by asbestos:
(a) the name and address of the person alleged to be diseased or in a condition of ill-being;
(b) when the alleged disease or condition of ill-being began;
(c) the circumstances under which the employee is alleged to have come into contact with asbestos;
(d) whether the person is represented by an attorney, and if so, the name and address of his attorney;
(e) the agency where the claim was filed, the docket number of the claim and the date the claim was filed.
A. 23. This defendant objects to this interrogatory on the basis that it seeks information which is not relevant to the subject matter of this litigation and is not reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence, except as it relates to the period of time during which this
17
defendant engaged in the manufacture, sale and distribution of
its asbestos-containing products. Without waiving the above
objection, during the period in which this defendant engaged in
the manufacture of its asbestos-containing products, it received
no workers' compensation claims for any asbestos-related disease.
Q. 24.
List the following information for each claim
or report, not identified in your answer to the preceding
interrogatory, alleging a disease or condition of ill-being
caused by asbestos or an asbestos containing product sold by
Defendant:
a) the name and address of the person
alleged to be diseased or in a condition of ill-being;
b) when the alleged disease or condition
of ill-being began; c)
the circumstances under which the
employee is alleged to have come into contact with asbestos sold
by you;
d) whether the person is represented by
an attorney, and if so, the name and address of his attorney;
e) whether the claim has resulted in a
lawsuit against you, and if so, the court where suit was filed,
the docket number of the suit, and the date the suit was filed.
A. 24.
Refer to answer to Interrogatory No. 23
Q. 25.
List the following information regarding each
document (as defined in Supreme Court Rule 201(b)(1)) authored by
an employee of Defendant in the course of his employment, dealing
in whole or in part with the consequences of exposure to
asbestos:
(a) name, title or other means of
identification of the document;
(b) name, position at time document
authored, and current address, position and employer of each
author of the document;
18
(c) date prepared or published; (d) the name and address of the entity responsible for its publication and/or distribution; (e) if available in typewritten or printed form, the number of pages.
A. 25.
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
as being vague, ambiguous, unintelligible, irrelevant, overly
broad, burdensome and oppressive, not reasonably calculated to
lead to the discovery of admissible evidence and not limited to
any issue which is the subject of this case.
Q. 26. When did Defendant first sell asbestos or products containing asbestos?
A. 26.
Owens-Illinois Glass Company began limited
pilot plant operations involving the production of "Kaylo"
asbestos-containing products in 1943. It began the manufacture
of commercial quantities of "Kaylo" asbestos-containing products
in about 1948 and continued such manufacture until about April
30, 1958.
Q. 27.
Does defendant still sell asbestos or
products containing asbestos? If not, when did defendant stop
selling?
A. 27.
No. This defendant ceased all involvement in
the asbestos-containing product business in 1958.
Q. 28.
List the following information about each
different type (as opposed to different sizes of the same type)
of asbestos containing product manufactured or sold by Defendant:
(a)
brand or trade
name;
(b) description;
(c) uses defendant recommended of it;
19
(d) asbestos content; (e) dates of manufacture and/or sale.
A. 28.
(a)
Kaylo.
(b) This defendant ceased the manufacture,
sale and distribution of asbestos-containing products in 1958.
It believes that Kaylo and Kaylo-20 were premolded, rigid
products, and were manufactured in two forms, block and pipe
covering. Kaylo was white or off-white in color, and Kaylo-20
was pinkish in color.
(c) The asbestos-containing products
manufactured by this defendant were intended to be used for
industrial high temperature thermal insulation such as pipe
covering and block insulation, and to increase fireproofing and
fire protection and for insulation through use as a roof deck or
fireproof material or door core material.
(d) This defendant ceased the manufacture,
sale and distribution of its asbestos-containing products in
1958. Its investigation as to the composition of each such
product, including the type of asbestos contained therein (i.e.,
amosite or chrysotile) and the quantitative percentage of
asbestos, is continuing, although this defendant now believes
that this defendant's commercially produced asbestos-containing
products were hydrous calcium silicates containing between 13%
and approximately 20% asbestos. Chrysotile asbestos was the
primary type apparently used. Amosite was used to a lesser
extent.
(e) Owens-Illinois Glass Company began
limited pilot plant operations involving the production of
"Kaylo" asbestos-containing products in 1943. It began the
manufacture of commercial quantities of "Kaylo" asbestos-
containing products in about 1948 and continued such manufacture
until about April 30, 1958.
20
Q. 29.
Has Defendant, at any time since it began
selling asbestos or asbestos-containing products, issued a
warning concerning the consequences of exposure to asbestos,
which warning was intended by Defendant to reach those persons
who would breath or ingest asbestos or asbestos-containing
products during their distribution and/or use? If so, state as
to each such warning: (a)
the language of the warning;
(b) date first issued or distributed;
(c) date last issued or distributed;
(d) the method of communication or
distribution used;
(e)
The name, position at that time, and
current address, position and employer of each person ordering or
recommending the warning.
A. 29.
This defendant ceased the manufacture, sale
and distribution of asbestos-containing products in 1958. This
defendant has not found information in its records sufficient to
enable it to answer this interrogatory. However, it does not
appear that any warning concerning asbestos was given in that it
does not appear that this defendant had reason to believe that
the use of its products would result in a foreseeable risk of
harm.
Q. 30.
If your answer to the preceding interrogatory
is in affirmative, state the following as to the first
information Defendant received that exposure to asbestos caused
disease:
a) the form in which it was received,
e.a.. orally, in writing;
b) if orally, the name and address of the
person from whom received;
21
c) if the information was received in written form, give the author, title of the document, and date of the document;
d) the name and address of the employee or employees who received the information;
e) briefly describe the information.
A. 30.
Refer to answer to Interrogatory Ho. 29.
Q. 31.
If your answer to the second preceding
interrogatory was affirmative, list the name and address of each
employee who was responsible to investigate whether:
a) the warnings were reaching the persons who were breathing and/or ingesting the asbestos from the asbestos containing products;
b) the warnings were being read by the persons who were breathing and/or ingesting the asbestos from the asbestos containing products;
c) the warnings were being understood by the persons who were breathing and/or ingesting the asbestos from the asbestos containing products;
d) the warnings were being heeded by the persons who were breathing and/or ingesting the asbestos from the asbestos containing products.
30.
A. 31. Refer to answers to Interrogatory Nos. 29 &
Q. 32.
Did Defendant ever have one or more employees
who routinely performed the task of sawing asbestos containing
materials?
22
If so, state the following: a) the name and address*of each plant at
which the process was conducted, and the inclusive period of years during which the process was conducted, at that plant;
b) the number of employees who performed the task for one year or more;
c) the name and address of each employee who performed the task for one year or more at one Defendant's plants and who was known by Defendant to be free of asbestos disease 25 years or more after having first performed the task for at least one year.
A. 32.
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
on the grounds that it is vague, ambiguous, overly broad, seeks
information which is not relevant to the subject matter of this
litigation, and is not reasonably calculated to lead to the
discovery of admissible evidence. This defendant ceased the
manufacture, sale and distribution of asbestos-containing
products in 1958. This defendant has not found information in
its records sufficient to enable it to answer this interrogatory.
This defendant has never formed nor maintained a group or groups
known as "contract units," such "contract units" being a division
or group within or maintained by the corporation which, inter
alia, engaged in the actual installation of insulation products
containing asbestos at job sites.
Q. 33.
List the following information regarding each
worker or group of workers who, as of 1960, had used asbestos
containing products for 25 years or more and were known by
Defendant to be free of asbestos disease:
a) current name and address;
23
b) location(s) and inclusive dates of asbestos product usage;
c) date(s) of the examination(s) which revealed the worker to be free of asbestos disease.
A. 33. This defendant ceased the manufacture, sale and distribution of asbestos-containing products in 1958. This defendant has not found information in its records sufficient to enable it to answer this interrogatory.
Q. 34.
List the following information regarding each
instance where an employee of Defendant testified (at deposition
or trial) in asbestos disease litigation:
a) name of employee;
b) date and place testimony was given;
c) first named plaintiff and defendant,
case number and court in which pending;
d) name and address of reporter;
e) whether you have a transcript of the
testimony.
A. 34.
This defendant ceased the manufacture, sale
and distribution of asbestos-containing products in 1958. This
defendant is aware that the following present or former employees
have testified at trial or by deposition in asbestos-related
litigation:
Edward C. Ames Robert Grim Richard L. Grimmie
10/8/79, 1/10/80, 2/12/81,3/26/81 and 10/7/81.
9/6 & 7/84 (trial), 10/11/84 (trial), and 7/1/87 (trial)
7/10/79, 10/24/79 (trial) and 10/29/79 (trial).
24
David Innis William Justice John Pershing John Rhoads June Welser Everett Shuman Willis G. Hazard Richard R. Beck Samuel F. Schillaci
25
9/27/83.
7/11/79 and 5/3/82.
7/26/79.
7/11/79.
7/11/79.
4/26/79, 6/12/79, 7/15/80, 8/19/80, and 3/4/81.
2/11/81, 3/27/81, 12/14/81, 1/27/82.
4/1/81.
4/7/81, 7/31/81 (tri al), 11/9/81 (trial), 11/17/81 (trial), 4/26-27/82, 6/4/84, 8/28/84, 9/6/84, 11/14/84, 2/5/85, 3/4/85 (trial), 4/30/85, 12/19/85 (trial), 10/8/86, 4/10/87 (trial), 6/25/87 (trial), 11/4/87 (trial), 1/20/88, 9/20/88 (trial), 10/15/88 (trial), 11/14/88 (trial), 11/22/88 (trial), 11/29/88 (trial), 12/8/88 (trial), 12/15/88 (trial), 3/14/89, 3/21/89, 3/28/89 (trial), 5/9/89 (trial), 6/15/89, 6/30/89 (trial), 7/7/89 (trial), 7/27/89, 8/18/89 (trial), 11/2/89 (trial), 11/6/89, 11/16/89 (trial), 11/17/89 (trial), 1/9/90 (tri al), 1/31/90 (trial), 2/23/90 (trial), and 3/14/90.
George N. Bates, M.D. Thomas A. Meehan, Esq.
4/6/81.
8/3/81 (trial), 11/9/8l (trial), 12/15/83, 1/16/84, 8/28/84, 6/4/84, and 11/13/84.
Effective April 30, 1958, this defendant sold its asbestos-containing product manufacturing division to OwensComing Fiberglas Corporation. At that time certain employees who worked in the division, some of whom are mentioned above, transferred to Owens-Coming Fiberglas Corporation. These individuals have been deposed with regard to asbestos-related litigation involving Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation.
This defendant objects to the production of copies of the transcripts of these depositions on the basis that said transcripts are filed with various courts around the country, they are therefore matters of public record, and therefore plaintiffs have equal access to such documents. Defendant reserves the right to advance additional arguments against the production of such documents if and when plaintiffs file a request for production.
Q. 35.
List the following information regarding each
instance where an individual whom you had listed, retained or
called as an expert witness testified (at deposition or trial) in
asbestos disease litigation:
(a) Name of employee;
(b) Date and place testimony was given;
(c) First named plaintiff and defendant,
case number and court in which pending;
(d) Name and address of reporter;
(e) Whether you have a transcript of the
testimony.
A. 23. This defendant objects to revealing the name
of any expert whom it has consulted, except as to employment for
testimony at trial on the grounds of: (a) the work product
26
privilege; (b) attorney-client privilege; (c) the interrogatory seeks information which is irrelevant and not calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.
Q. 36.
List the name and address of all
international unions and local unions which have represented
employees of Defendant while the employees where using asbestos
containing products or were being exposed to asbestos, and
indicate the address of the plant or group of employees
represented and the date of such representation.
A. 36. This defendant ceased the manufacture, sale and distribution of asbestos-containing products in 1958. This defendant has not found information in its records sufficient to enable it to answer this interrogatory.
Q. 37.
Did any of the unions listed in your answer
to the previous interrogatory ever instruct, advise or caution
your employees on the safe handling of asbestos or precautions to
be taken when working in airborne asbestos?
If so, please state for each instruction, advice or warning: a) the name and address of the union and
person instructing, advising or warning your employees; b) the method and content of the
instruction, advice or warning; c) the dates of the instruction, advice
or warning; d) whether the union ever promulgated,
recommended or bargained for any regulations, standards or guidelines concerning the safe handling of asbestos or precautions to be taken when working in airborne asbestos.
A. 37. Refer to answer to Interrogatory No. 38
27
Q. 38. Did Defendant sell, ship or deliver any asbestos containing products to Illinois Power Company and/or Caterpillar Tractor Co.? If so, state the follpwing:
a) the type and quantity sold, shipped or delivered;
b) the date; c) describe or attach the documents evidencing such sale or shipment.
A. 38. This defendant objects to this interrogatory
on the basis that it seeks information which is not relevant to
the subject matter of this litigation and is not reasonably
calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence,
except as it relates to plaintiff's employers during plaintiff's
periods of employment.
This defendant has found no records
indicating that it sold, distributed, or otherwise supplied
insulation products containing asbestos to Illinois Power Company
and/or Caterpillar Tractor Co.
Q. 39.
List the following information regarding each
instance known to Defendant where an individual has testified (at
deposition or trial) that a product manufactured or sold by
Defendant was present or used at Illinois Power Company in
Bloomington, Illinois, and/or Caterpillar Tractor Co. at various
locations in Central Illinois. (In lieu of providing the answers
to the following, you may provide a transcript of the testimony
and Plaintiff's lawyer will pay your charges for providing the
same):
a) name and address of witness;
b) first named plaintiff, case number,
and court in which case is pending;
c) date of testimony;
d) name and address of reporter;
e) whether you have a transcript of the
testimony.
28
A. 39.
Refer to answer to Interrogatory No. 38.
Q. 40.
Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 213(e),
identify and give the location of those persons, not previously
disclosed, having knowledge of facts relevant to the occurrence
described in the complaint.
A. 40.
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
as being irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
discovery of admissible evidence and not limited to any issue
which is the subject of this case. This defendant further
objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that it seeks
information within the work-product privilege and on the ground
that it is oppressive and burdensome in that it would have to
review all of the files and all of the records of all of its
attorneys all over the country to respond to this interrogatory.
Q. 41.
Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 213(e)
identify and give the location of those persons, not previously
disclosed, having knowledge of facts relevant to the disease of
Delmar Alsene.
A. 41
This defendant objects to this interrogatory
as being irrelevant and not reasonably calculated to lead to the
discovery of admissible evidence and not limited to any issue
which is the subject of this case. This defendant further
objects to this interrogatory on the grounds that it seeks
information within the work-product privilege and on the ground
that it is oppressive and burdensome in that it would have to
review all of the files and all of the records of all of its
attorneys all over the country to respond to this interrogatory.
29
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF OHIO
)
)SS:
COUNTY OF LUCAS )
A. H. SMITH, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he is an Assistant Secretary of Owens-Illinois, Inc., a defendant herein; that as such he is authorized to make an Affidavit on its behalf; and that the facts set forth in the foregoing DEFENDANT, OWENS-ILLINOIS, INC.'S ANSWERS TO INTERROGATORIES, are true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information and belief.
SWORN TO and subscribed
before me this
ay
A. H. SMITH
My Commission Expires:
SHIPLEY J. SPOCrVNSr Notary Public, L'cte or 0::.r My Commission Expires Oct. 15, 195