Glaab v. Honeywell International, Inc.
56 A.3d 693
| Pa. Super. Ct. | 2012Background
- Appellant Karl Glaab sued for asbestos-related injuries allegedly from 45 years of occupational exposure in plumbing/heating.
- He alleges pleural thickening/plaques, dyspnea, and impaired function linked to asbestos exposure; expert Gelfand supports causation.
- Appellees moved for summary judgment, arguing no compensable injury and causation tied to non-asbestos conditions.
- Trial court granted summary judgment; Superior Court remanded; Summers v. Certainteed prompted reconsideration.
- On remand, trial court again granted summary judgment; this Court vacated and remanded for proper Summers analysis.
- Judge Gantman concludes plaintiff presented a prima facie compensable injury and case must proceed.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prima facie injury overcome summary judgment? | Glaab presented pleural thickening with dyspnea and causation to asbestos. | Appellees contend non-compensable injury; other conditions cause symptoms. | Yes; Glaab presented a prima facie compensable injury over summary judgment. |
| Is a formal asbestosis diagnosis required? | Summers allows compensable injury without exclusive reliance on asbestosis. | Some panels require asbestosis diagnosis to deem injury compensable. | No strict asbestosis requirement; Summers permits compensation with other asbestos-related conditions. |
| Can other non-asbestos factors defeat causation at this stage? | Competent evidence shows asbestos-related pleural disease contributing to symptoms. | Non-asbestos conditions negate a compensable link to exposure. | No; disputed causation evidence remains for trial; summary judgment inappropriate at this stage. |
Key Cases Cited
- Ryan v. Asbestos Corp. Ltd., 829 A.2d 686 (Pa. Super. 2003) (causation framework for compensable injury in asbestos cases)
- Lonasco v. A-Best Products Co., 757 A.2d 367 (Pa. Super. 2000) (pleural thickening and shortness of breath linked to asbestos)
- White v. Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp., 668 A.2d 136 (Pa. Super. 1995) (asbestos-related symptoms and impairment required for compensation)
- Simmons v. Pacor, Inc., 543 Pa. 664 (Pa. 1996) (asbestos cases require symptoms and impairment; traceability of harm)
- Summers v. Certainteed Corp., 606 Pa. 294 (Pa. 2010) (causation standards; rejects blanket exclusion due to other conditions)
- Betz v. Pneumo Abex, LLC, 44 A.3d 27 (Pa. 2012) (rejects any-exposure theory; substantial-factor causation requirement)
- Chenot v. A.P. Green Services, Inc., 895 A.2d 55 (Pa. Super. 2006) (summary judgment and expert testimony credibility in asbestos cases)