Document xzk0yKRQebQRQ0b69Ljwp20g
IL036E.ASB 10/27/94
4.-'- -
STATE Or ILLINOIS
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT 07 THE ELEVENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COUNTY Or MC LEAN
GEORGE and MYRA
KROUTIL,
Plaintiffs,
v.
OWENS-CORNINGFIBERGLAS CORPORATION,
et al,
Defendants.
) )
) )
) )
No. 94 L 14
DEPENDANT, OWENS-ILLINOIS, INC.'S AN8WER8 TO PLAINTirrS' FIRST SET OP INTERROGATOR!E8
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 OwensCorning Fiberglas Corporation. Since that time, Owens-Illinois, Inc. has not engaged in the asbestos-containing insulation products manufacturing business. It does not now and it has not since that sale manufactured, distributed or sold any of its Kaylo asbestos-containing insulation 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 investigations to date indicate that at least some documents which relate to matters inquired about by these interrogatories were transferred to Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation with the transfer of the business in question in 1958. Owens-Illinois, 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 answ 's set out hereinafter are limited to the period during whi Owens-Illinois, Inc. manufactured asbestos-containing Kaylo insulation products and to the facilities related to that business. The following is a part of and is incorporated by reference in every answer provided hereinafter:
This answer is accurate as of the date made. However, Owens-Illinois, Inc.'s investigation is continuing, and Owens-Illinois, 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 manufacture and sale of the Kaylo products alleged to be 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 reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence, and would be burdensome and oppressive.
Commencing in 1963 and continuing through 1977, Kimble Glass Company, a unit of Owens-Illinois, Inc., offered for sale gaskets, inserts and spacers as accessory parts intended for use in conjunction with Kimble's conical end glass piping system. Some of these accessory parts contained asbestos as one of their ingredients. These accessory parts were not manufactured by Kimble, but were purchased from other suppliers. From approximately 1966 through 1977, the Kimble Division also offered for sale a field beading kit which included a small plate and a covering over each of two small hoses. The plate and hose
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coverings may possibly have contained ast ^fcos, but OwensIllinois cannot yet confirm the ingredier of these materials based upon its business records presently reviewed. Kimble also sold Glass Lined Reactors manufactured by schwelm for a period of time presently unknown which incorporated gaskets containing asbestos as one of their ingredients. At the end of 1977, OwensIllinois transferred its interest in the glass pipe and Schwelm Reactor product lines and related assets to 01/Schott Process Systems, Inc. in exchange for 50% of the stock of the Corporation and, pursuant to a Sales Agreement dated Hay 24, 1990, sold its interest in 01/Schott Process Systems, Inc. to Schott Corporation. From 1982 through 1985, Kontes Glass Company, a subsidiary of Owens-Illinois during that time period, purchased certain asbestos-containing materials from other manufacturers and incorporated those materials into four of its products. Based upon the information available to Owens-Illinois to date concerning the nature of Plaintiff's claim, it is Owens-Illinois' understanding that the only Owens-Illinois asbestos-containing product to which the Plaintiff alleges exposure is Kaylo. Therefore, Owens-Illinois objects to responding to these interrogatories in regard to the above described asbestoscontaining products sold by Kimble Glass Company and Kontes Glass Company on the basis that any such answer would be irrelevant to the subject matter of the pending litigation, would not be reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence and would be burdensome and oppressive.- In the event that Owens-Illinois is subsequently informed that the Plaintiff alleges exposure to asbestos-containing products sold by Kimble Glass Company or Kontes Glass Company, Owens-Illinois will supplement these answers to interrogatories within a reasonable time after receiving such notice to the extent that a supplementation is necessary in order to respond to the interrogatories in light of the alleged exposure to asbestoscontaining products sold by either Kimble Glass Company or Kontes Glass Company.
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V INTERROGATORIES
Q. 1.
State the exact name and state of
incorporation of the corporation providing the answers to these
interrogatories.
A. 1.
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 Delaware corporation. The address of the principal place
of business is One SeaGate, Toledo, Ohio 43666.
Q. 2.
State the name of the agent or
officer who has taken the "reasonable steps to search the
'corporate memory' of the corporation named in answer to the
above interrogatory by (1) investigating the contents of the
corporation's records, and (2) trying to ascertain the knowledge
of other corporate agents" as required in Campen v. Executive
House Hotel, lao., 105 111. App. 3d 576, 587 (1st Dist. 1982).
A. 2.
Howard G. Bruss, 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;
was taken;
(b) when, where and by whom the statement
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(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
adjustor been directed to investigate the occurrence or ask
questions of persons who may have knowledge of facts concerning
the occurrence? If so, state the full name and address of each
firm or adjustor.
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 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.
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Q. 5.
Do you have any information regarding
George Kroutil's physical condition other than that information
furnished you by 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 you named or covered under any
policy of liability insurance, effective on the date of the
occurrence, 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;
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(g) whether the policy contains any first party medical pay or disability coverage, and, if so, describe the coverage.
A. 6.
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 insurance carriers which may provide
coverage for asbestos claims. One such lawsuit resulted in a
decision of the United States 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. 7.
Which, if any, of the carriers listed
in your answer to the preceding interrogatory aife providing a
defense to this suit?
A. Interrogatory No. 6.
7.
Refer to objection and answer to
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Q. 8.
This is a Rule 220 Interrogatory.
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;
basis therefore;
(c) his conclusions and opinions and the
(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.
A. 8. 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. 9.
Identify with specificity any
documents, objects, and tangible things, as defined in Supreme
Court Rule 214, which are or were in the possession of any
consulting expert as defined in Supreme Court Rule 220 which do
not contain the consulting expert's opinion.
A. 9.
This defendant objects to revealing
the name of any expert whom it has consulted, except as to
employment for testimony at trial and objects to identifying any
documents in the possession of said experts on the grounds of:
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(a) the work product privilege; (b) attorney-client privilege; (c) the interrogatory is overly broad, burdensome and harassing and seeks information which is irrelevant and not calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.
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;
held;
(b) the name of the position he or she
the position;
(c) the dates during which he or she held
(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 its Kaylo 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
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( d implements pre-employment and periodic examinations as well
c. -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 for 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 all of its employees? If so,
state the following as to each such study:
study;
(a) the description or title of the
(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 its Kaylo asbestoscontaining products in 1958 and does not have any records from which it can obtain information sufficient to aifswer 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
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in its biK.'.ness records or correspondence although it has
searched
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. 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 Owens-
Corning Fiberglas Corporation in the asbestos litigation.
Those documents found at Saranac Lake and at
Owens-Corning 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.
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"o the extent that this interrogatory seeks the production of doc\ ^nts, 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. 12. Have there been any studies of the
effect of asbestos exposure upon the health of any of Defendant's
employees? If so, state:
study;
(a) the description or title of the
(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.
List the name, period of service, and
last address known to you of each person who has served Defendant
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as director of safety or a?:,y similar position from 1955 to the present.
A. 13.
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 defendant engaged in the manufacture, sale and distribution
of its Kaylo asbestos-containing products. This defendant ceased
the manufacture, sale and distribution of its Kaylo asbestos-
containing products in 1958. This defendant also objects on the
grounds that the term "director of safety" is vague and
ambiguous. Without waiving the above objection, this defendant
ceased the manufacture, sale and distribution of its Kaylo
asbestos-containing products in 1958. This defendant has not
found information in its records sufficient to enable it to
answer this interrogatory. During the time this defendant was
involved in the manufacture, sale and distribution of Kaylo,
Willis G. Hazard was its Industrial Hygienist.
Q. 14. 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-tbeing caused by asbestos:
(a) the name and address of the person alleged to be diseased or in a condition of ill-being;
of ill-being began;
(b) when the alleged disease or condition
(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;
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(e) the ag* ~(;y where the claim was filed, the docket number of the claim and ,',,e date the claim was filed.
A. 14. 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 defendant engaged in the manufacture, sale and distribution of its Kaylo 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 asbestosrelated disease.
Q. 15. 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;
(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. 15. This defendant objects to this interrogatory as being vague, ambiguous, unintelligible, irrelevant, overly broad, burdensome and oppressive, not
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reasonably calculated to lead to the discov- ./ of admissible evidence and not limited to any issue which-is the subject of this case.
Q. 16. When did Defendant first sell asbestos or products containing asbestos?
A. 16. 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 defendant engaged in the manufacture, sale and distribution of its Kaylo asbestos-containing products. Without waiving the above objection, Owens-Illinois Glass Company began limited pilot plant operations involving the production of "Kaylo" asbestoscontaining 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. This defendant does not now and has not in the past engaged in the mining, milling or selling asbestos.
Q. 17. , Does Defendant still sell any products which contain asbestos? If not, when did Defendant last sell a product which contained asbestos?
A. 17. 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 defendant engaged in the manufacture, sale and'distribution of its Kaylo asbestos-containing products. Without waiving the
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above objection, no. This defendant ceased all involvement in the manufacture of Kaylo asbestos-containing insulat. vn products in 1958.
Q. 18. 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;
distribution used;
(d) the method of communication or
(e) the name, position at that time, and current address, position and employer of each person ordering or recommending the warning.
A. 18. This defendant ceased the manufacture, sale and distribution of its Kaylo asbestoscontaining 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. Further, this defendant does not now and has not in the past engaged in the mining, milling or selling asbestos.
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Q. 19. If your answer to the preceding
interrogatory is in the affirmative, state the following as .c-
the first information Defendant received that exposure to
asbestos caused disease:
a) e.g.. orally, in writing;
the form in which it was received,
b) if orally, the name and address of the person from whom received;
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. 19. Refer to answer to Interrogatory No. 18
Q. 20. 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.
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A. 20
Refer to answer to Interrogatory No.
18.
Q. 21. Did Defendant ever have one or more employees who regularly mixed any asbestos containing product, packaged any asbestos containing product, or opened containers which asbestos containing products had been placed? If so, state the following as to each such process:
a) the name and address of each location at which the process was conducted, and the inclusive period of years during which the process was conducted at that plant;
b) the name and last address known to Defendant of each person who performed the task and the inclusive period of years during which that employee performed the task.
A. 21. 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. Without waiving the above objection, this defendant ceased the manufacture, sale and distribution of its Kaylo asbestos-containing products in 1958. This defendant's manufacturing plants at which defendant manufactured its Kaylo product were located in Berlin, NJ and Sayreville, NJ. The Berlin plant was in operation from approximately 1943 until on or about April 30, 1958. The Sayreville plant was in operation from February 1948 until about April 30, 1953. This defendant has not found information in its records sufficient to enable it to further answer this interrogatory. Further, 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.
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Q. 22.
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;
testimony.
e) whether you have a transcript of the
A. 22. This defendant ceased the manufacture, sale and distribution of its Kaylo asbestoscontaining 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: 10/8/79, 1/10/80, 2/12/81, 3/26/81 and 10/7/81.
Robert Grim: 9/6 & 7/84 (trial), 10/11/84 (trial), 7/1/87 (trial), 12/12/90 (trial), 1/31/91 (trial), 10/23/91 (trial), and 1/13/92 (trial).
Richard L. Grimmie: 7/10/79, 10/24/79 (trial), and 10/29/79 (trial).
David Innis: 9/27/83.
William Justice: 7/11/79 and 5/3/82.
John Pershing: 7/26/79.
John Rhoads: 7/11/79.
June Welser: 7/11/79.
Everett Shuman: 4/26/79, 6/12/79, 7/15/80, 8/19/80, and 3/4/81.
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Willis G. Hazard: 2/11/81, 3/27/81, 12/14/81, and 1/27/82.
Howard G. Bruss, Esq.: 6/29/93.
David Van Hooser:
*
8/11/93 (trial)
Michael E. McConnell, Esq.: 10/25/90.
2/24/89 and
Richard R. Beck: 4/1/81.
Samuel F. Schillaci: 4/7/81, 7/31/81 (trial), 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 (trial), 1/31/90 (trial), 2/23/90 (trial), 3/14/90, 4/17-18/90, 4/24/90, 5/16/90 (trial), 5/24/90 (trial), 5/30/90 (trial), 6/8/90 (trial), 6/12/90 (trial), 6/20/90 (trial), 6/21/90 (trial), 6/29/90 (trial), 7/17/90 (trial), 7/19/90 (trial), 8/30/90 (trial), 10/11/90 (trial), 10/17/90, 11/20/90 (trial), 11/28/90 (trial), 12/11/90 (trial), 12/19/90 (trial), 1/24/91 (trial), 2/1/91 (trial), 2/22/91 (trial), 2/27/91, 3/8/91 (trial), 4/25/91 (trial), 4/26/91 (trial), 5/20/91 (trial), 6/13/91'(trial), 8/2/91 (trial), 8/8/91 (trial), 9/30/91 (trial), 10/8/91 (trial), 10/25/91 (trial), 10/30/91 (tr'ial) , 10/31/91 (trial), 11/4/91 (trial), 11/7/91 (trial), 11/13/91 (trial), 1/23/92 (trial), 1/28-29/92 (trial), 2/24/92 (trial), 12/15/92 (trial), 3/11/93 (trial), 3/12/93 (trial), 3/19/93 (trial), 5/21/93 (trial), 8/16/93 (trial), and 2/2/94 (trial).
George N. Bates, M.D.: 4/6/81.
Thomas A. Meehan, Esq.: 8/3/81 (trial), 11/9/81 (trial), 12/15/83, 1/16/84, 8/28/84, 6/4/84, and 11/13/84.
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Effective April 30, 1958, this defendant sold its asbestos-coritaining product manufacturing division to OwensCorning Fiberglas Corporation. At that time certain employees who worked in the division, some of whom are mentioned above, transferred to Owens-Corning 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 or providing further information about 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 and the information they contain. Defendant reserves the right to advance additional arguments against the production of such documents if and when plaintiffs file a request for production.
Q. 23. 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;
testimony.
(e) whether you have a transcript of the
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 privilege; (b) attorney-client privilege; (c) the
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int' .rogatory seeks information which is irrelevant and not cal? .rlated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. 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.
Q. 24.
Did Defendant sell, ship or deliver
any products to any of the entities listed on Attachment Bl to
Plaintiffs' First Amended Complaint? If so, state the following
regarding each such sale, shipment or delivery:
a) the date;
b) the type and quantity involved;
c) whether you have any documents evidencing such sale, shipment or delivery, and if so, describe the documents.
A. 24.
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 defendant engaged in the manufacture, sale and distribution
of its Kaylo asbestos-containing products. This'defendant ceased
the manufacture, sale and distribution of its Kaylo asbestos-
containing products in 1958. Without waiving the above
objection, this defendant ceased the manufacture, sale and
distribution of its Kaylo asbestos-containing products in 1958.
This defendant has found no records indicating that it sold,
distributed or otherwise supplied Kaylo insulation products
containing asbestos to any of the listed sites. Discovery is
22
continuing. tsThis defendant reserves the right to supplement its answer to t'.'At, interrogatory at any time in the future.
Q. 25.
Did Defendant ever suggest or
recommend that persons using or exposed to the dust from
Defendant's asbestos containing products might or should use any
device to reduce exposure to, or inhalation of, asbestos dust or
fibers? If so, please state for each and every such suggestion
or recommendation:
a) date, time and place when each such suggestion or recommendation was made;
b) identify each person present when such suggestion or recommendation was made to or received by Plaintiff;
c) identify each person receiving same or similar suggestion or recommendation;
e) whether such suggestions or recommendation was written or oral, and
1) if written, please identify in detail each such writing;
2) if oral, identify all persons involved and details as to the manner in which each such suggestion or recommendation was presented;
f) type, make and model of each device referred to in each such suggestion or recommendation.
A. 25.
This defendant objects to this
interrogatory on the basis that the phrase "persons using or
exposed" is vague, ambiguous, overly broad as not limited to end
users, 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 defendant engaged
23
in the manufacture, -<le and distribution of its Kaylo asbestoscontaining products^ Without waiving the above objection, this defendant states that during the time it was involved in the Kaylo asbestos-containing products business/ the state of scientific and medical art 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. Therefore, this defendant had no reason to believe that the use of its product would result in a foreseeable risk of harm. This defendant has not engaged in sufficient Discovery to further answer this interrogatory. This defendant reserves the right to further respond to this interrogatory at any time in the future.
Q. 26. Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 213(e), identify and give the location of those persons, not previously disclosed, having knowledge of facts relevant to how or why the occurrence described in the Complaint took place.
A. 26. 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. 27. 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 nature and extent of the injury to George Kroutil.
24
A. 27. T` 5s defendant objects to this interrogatory as being irrelc ..nt 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 grounds 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.
25
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF OHIO
)
)SS:
COUNTY OF WOOD ,
H. G. BRUSS, 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.
SCHIFF HARDIN & WAITE
A Parowmip including Protaulonai Corporations
7200 Sears Tower, Chi 30. Illinois 60606-6473 Telephone (312) 876-V ' Facsimile (312) 258-5600
Sandra C. Antczak (312) 258-4501
Chicago Washington New York Peoria Merrillville
November 11, 1994
Mr. Dean Engelbrecht James Walker, Ltd. 207 W. Jefferson Street Bloomington, Illinois 61702-3455
Re: Kroutil. et al. v. Owens-Illinois. Inc., et al.
Dear Mr. Engelbrecht:
Enclosed please find Defendant, Owens-Illinois, Inc.'s Answers to Plaintiffs' Interrogatories and Defendant, OwensIllinois, Inc.'s Responses to Plaintiffs' First Request for Discovery from Defendant, Owens-Illinois, Inc. By copy of this letter, I am serving said pleadings upon counsel of record on the attached service list.
Sincerely,
SCA/cdp Enclosures
cc: All Counsel of Record Jay Tambe
Sandra C. Anteza) Litigation Administrator
NOV 1 4 t99M^
James Walker, Ltd. P.O. Box 3455 Bloomington, IL 61702-3455
Christine R. Bodewes. Esq. Sachnoff & Weaver, Ltd. 30 S. Wacker Dr., Ste. 2900 Chicago, IL 60606
Edward M. Crane Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom 333 W. Wacker Dr., Ste. 2100 Peoria, IL 61602
Daniel R. Karon, Esq. Connelly & Schroeder 208 S. LaSalle St., Ste. 1800 Chicago, IL 60604
Stephen A. Wood, Esq. Kelley, Drye & Warren 303 W. Madison St, Ste. 1400 Chicago, IL 60606
Robert W. Scott Swain, Hartshorn & Scott 411 Hamilton Blvd., Ste. 1806 Peoria, IL 61602
Edward M. Burns, Esq. Law Office of William M. Koziol One Kemper Dr. Long Grove, IL 60049-0001
Edward J. McCambridge, Esq. Segal, McCambridge, Singer & Mahoney 20 S. Clark St., Ste. 700 Chicago, IL 60603
Ward G. Brown, Esq. Kuraik, Cipolla & Barasha, Ltd. 120 W. Eastman, Ste. 302 Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Bret S. Babcock,* Esq. 411 Commerce Bank Bldg. Peoria, IL 61602
Christopher P. Larson, Esq. Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen 600 Jefferson Bank Bldg. Peoria, IL 61602
Joseph W. Lampo, Esq. Polsinelli, White, Vardeman & Shalton 400 W. 47th St., Ste. 1000 Kansas City, MO 64112
Donald L Sime, Esq. Brydgen, Riseborough, Morris, Franke 110 N. West St. Waukegan, IL 60085
Edward J. Matushek, Esq. Haskell & Perrin 200 W. Adams St., Ste. 2600 Chicago, IL 60606
James L. Hafele, Esq. Hafele, Schmidt, Stephens & Glancy, P.C. 416 Main St. Peoria, IL 61602
Susan Gunty, Esq. Gunty & McCarthy 150 S. Wacker Dr., Ste. 1025 Chicago, IL 60606
NOV 1 4 1994^