LINDA VAN WINKLE, Indiv. and as Special Adm‘r of the Estate of Donald Van Winkle, Deceased, Plaintiff-Appellee and Cross-Appellant, v. OWENS-CORNING FIBERGLAS CORPORATION, Defendant-Appellant and Cross-Appellee (Illinois Central Railroad Company, Defendant).--MARK HICKS, as Special Adm‘r of the Estate of Thelma Hicks, Deceased, et al., Plaintiffs-Appellees and Cross-Appellants, v. OWENS-CORNING FIBERGLAS CORPORATION, Defendant-Appellant and Cross-Appellee (Illinois Central Railroad Company, Defendant).
Nos. 4-96-0382, 4-96-0383 cons.
Fourth District
August 14, 1997
Argued February 19, 1997.
165
James Wylder (argued) and James Walker, both of James Walker, Ltd., of Bloomington, for appellees.
In March 1995, plaintiff Linda Van Winkle, individually and as special administrator of the estate of Donald Van Winkle (Van Winkle), sued defendant, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation (OCF), alleging OCF conspired with one or more other manufacturers of asbestos products (John-Mansville Corporation (J-M), Union Asbestos and Rubber Company (Unarco), and Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc. (Raybestos)), to suppress and not warn of the health hazards of asbestos exposure, thereby causing harm to Van Winkle. In October 1995, plaintiffs Mark Hicks (Mark), as special administrator of the estate of Thelma Hicks (Hicks), and Coleman Hicks, Jr. (Coleman), filed an amended complaint against OCF alleging a similar conspiracy which caused Hicks’ death. The trial court consolidated the cases for trial, and in November 1995, a jury returned a verdict for plaintiffs and against OCF. The jury awarded compensatory damages of $1.1 million to the Hickses and $2.7 million to the Van Winkles. The jury also awarded $500,000 in punitive damages to the Van Winkles.
OCF appeals, arguing that the trial court erred by (1) failing to respond adequately to a question the jury raised during deliberations; (2) taking judicial notice of certain facts; (3) excluding certain testimony; (4) refusing to allow certain exhibits to go to the jury; (5) refusing to give defendant‘s special interrogatories; and (6) giving plaintiffs’ nonpattern instructions to the jury. OCF also argues (1) OCF cannot be held liable unless it joined the conspiracy before the occurrence of acts that caused Van Winkle‘s and Hicks’ injuries because late-joining conspirators are not liable for prior acts of coconspirators; and (2) the evidence was insufficient to show a conspiracy.
Because we agree with OCF‘s first argument--namely, that the trial court erred in its response to the jury‘s question--we reverse and remand for a new trial.
I. BACKGROUND
Van Winkle worked from June 1959 until November 1959 at a Bloomington, Illinois, asbestos plant then owned by Unarco. It is undisputed that (1) during 1959, asbestos fibers were released into the air at the plant; (2) some of those fibers came from products manufactured by J-M; and (3) Van Winkle developed mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to asbestos at the Unarco plant. Coleman worked at the Unarco plant from January 1953 until September 1961. Hicks was exposed to asbestos fibers that Coleman brought
A. Events (Not Involving OCF) Occurring Prior to Decedents’ Last Exposure
Much of the evidence presented at trial related to events that took place prior to Van Winkle‘s and Hicks’ last exposures to asbestos, in November 1959 and September 1961, respectively. Some of that evidence related to events in which OCF was not involved, as follows. Dr. Barry Castleman, plaintiff‘s expert, testified that (1) during the 1930s and 1940s, J-M and Raybestos attempted to suppress asbestos research conducted by Saranac Laboratory (Saranac); and (2) during the 1930s, J-M and Raybestos tried to prevent Asbestos magazine from publishing information regarding asbestosis. In 1936, Saranac, J-M, Raybestos, Unarco, and other companies (not including OCF, which did not exist until 1938) reached an agreement that the companies would retain control over asbestos research they funded, including publication decisions. In 1950, the Quebec Asbestos Mining Association (of which OCF was not a member) withdrew its funding for asbestos cancer studies. In the mid-1950s, the Asbestos Textile Institute (of which OCF was not a member) refused to fund cancer studies.
B. Events (Involving OCF) Occurring Prior to Decedents’ Last Exposure
Some preexposure evidence related to events involving OCF but not Raybestos, J-M, or Unarco. OCF internal memoranda dated February 1939 and July 1966 indicated an OCF policy of referring all inquiries regarding health matters to its legal department.
Dr. Jon Konzen, a former medical director of OCF, testified that by January 1942, OCF executives knew that airborne asbestos can cause asbestosis. In a January 1942 internal memorandum detailing OCF‘s strategy for 1942, an OCF employee proposed collecting articles identifying asbestos as a cause of asbestosis as a “weapon-in-reserve,” for possible use in negotiations with the Asbestos Workers’ Union.
In 1953, OCF began distributing Kaylo, an asbestos-containing product manufactured by Owens-Illinois. In October 1956, OCF and Owens-Illinois produced a brochure advertising Kaylo that described Kaylo as “nontoxic.” In September 1959, OCF produced a similar brochure under its own name also describing Kaylo as “nontoxic.” Konzen testified that OCF superiors knew the statement regarding Kaylo‘s toxicity was false.
In 1964, J-M‘s medical director informed F.H. Edwards, an OCF employee, that J-M planned to place warnings on its shipping containers as of October 1964 but not on the products themselves. In August 1964, Edwards sent an internal memo to OCF‘s chief legal counsel, asking whether OCF should “follow the J-M lead” to protect itself from increasingly stringent health laws and third-party actions. OCF began labeling its own shipping containers in 1966. In a November 1965 internal memo, Edwards suggested OCF should find a way to prevent Dr. Selikoff (a physician who was attempting to publicize the health effects of asbestos) from affecting OCF‘s sales. Edwards also noted his “surprise and suspicions” about certain recent statements made by J-M‘s medical director.
In the late 1960s, an OCF employee and a J-M employee drafted a pamphlet for the National Manufacturers Association (NMA) (an organization to which OCF and Konzen belonged) regarding recommended health safety practices for handling asbestos-containing products. The pamphlet described asbestos as “potentially injurious.” However, the pamphlet mentioned nothing about the dangers of breathing asbestos dust or that overexposure could occur without immediate symptoms. According to Castleman, minutes of a meeting of a November 1988 cement manufacturers’ association (of which OCF was not a member) showed the pamphlet was published “with avoidance of liability in mind” and was not “intended *** to inform the workers *** about the hazards.” Castleman also testified that the 1966 pamphlet is “probably the strongest evidence” OCF participated in the alleged conspiracy.
In April 1968, Konzen received an internal memorandum from OCF employee John Vyverberg, regarding a “position paper on fibrous glass,” which attached a J-M report describing asbestos health dangers and asked Konzen‘s view about whether it would be “wise from a liability protection point of view [for OCF] to indicate that there might be ‘potential hazards.’ ” That memo also indicated OCF‘s approach to date had been to indicate that ” ‘all medical research to date indicates no hazard to health.” In March 1970, Konzen advised Vyverberg not to attend an asbestos disease conference because it would be a “giant propaganda exercise” and would give “tacit approval to Selikoff.”
A July 1968 internal memorandum informed OCF “top management” that Vyverberg had indicated “much care and consideration” went into developing the constitution and bylaws of the Insulation Industry Hygiene Council (the memo called it Selikoff‘s “brainchild“).
In April 1970, OCF purchased the Bloomington Unarco plant. Within two weeks after its purchase, Konzen reviewed the potential health hazards within the plant. By July 1970, Konzen had received preliminary survey results. In an internal memorandum, Konzen stated: “This study demonstrates immediate need for inplant environmental control of asbestos so our employees do not continue to be severely exposed to airborne asbestos fiber.” As a result of the industrial hygiene survey, Konzen suggested to OCF superiors that labeling should be done on asbestos products. In response, he received an internal memorandum from OCF employee J.P. Kern, which stated, “Are you saying that we have to do this now? I naturally would like to delay this requirement as long as possible.” (Emphasis in original.) Unarco knew of the dangers of asbestos but did not warn plant workers during its ownership of the plant. After purchasing the plant from Unarco, OCF did not inform plant workers of any asbestos hazards. This failure to inform continued during the entire time OCF used asbestos at the plant.
In 1972, an OCF plant manager requested information on asbestos to transmit to Japan. OCF responded by telling the manager that he was “probing into a very sensitive area.” The internal memo also questioned how much information OCF wanted to release on the subject and forwarded the manager‘s request to OCF‘s legal department and Konzen.
In 1978, the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services publicly announced the risks associated with asbestos exposure. Konzen and other OCF employees then contacted eight other asbestos manufacturers (including J-M) to see how those companies had responded or planned to respond to the announcement. Konzen testified that OCF possessed the necessary medical knowledge to act in response to the announcement without contacting other companies. Konzen also stated that asbestos companies formed a tight-knit community, and it was common for their medical directors to talk with each other.
II. OCF‘S USE OF FOOTNOTES
Before addressing the merits, we address OCF‘s use of footnotes.
Adherence to the page limitations and guidelines for footnote usage is not an inconsequential matter. Lagen v. Balcor Co., 274 Ill. App. 3d 11, 14-15, 653 N.E.2d 968, 971 (1995). We agree with the Lagen court that ”
III. THE TRIAL COURT‘S RESPONSE TO THE JURY‘S NOTE
OCF first argues that the trial court erred by failing to adequately respond to a question of law the jury raised during deliberations. We agree.
During deliberations, the jury sent out a written note which read as follows:
“Does a conspiracy have to be between [OCF] and another company, or can a conspiracy be within the same company ([OCF]) with the company officers conspiring among themselves?
We are confused about the meaning of ‘one or more parties’ in a conspiracy. Can this mean [OCF] alone, or does it have to be [OCF] and another company?” (Emphasis in original.)
The court asked OCF‘s counsel for a suggested response, and counsel stated, in relevant part, as follows: “Well, I would suggest to the [c]ourt that both questions would be easy to answer. The answer is obviously, yes, it has to be between OCF and another company as plead[ed]. You cannot conspire with yourself.” Plaintiffs’ counsel objected to this suggestion and suggested instead that the court respond that the instructions provided contain the applicable law. Af-
In People v. Childs, 159 Ill. 2d 217, 228-29, 636 N.E.2d 534, 539 (1994), the supreme court addressed a trial court‘s response to a jury question and wrote the following:
“A trial court may exercise its discretion and properly decline to answer a jury‘s inquiries where the instructions are readily understandable and sufficiently explain the relevant law, where further instructions would serve no useful purpose or would potentially mislead the jury, when the jury‘s inquiry involves a question of fact, or if the giving of an answer would cause the court to express an opinion which would likely direct a verdict one way or another. [Citation.] However, jurors are entitled to have their inquiries answered. Thus, the general rule is that the trial court has a duty to provide instruction to the jury where it has posed an explicit question or requested clarification on a point of law arising from facts about which there is doubt or confusion. [Citation.] This is true even though the jury was properly instructed originally. [Citation.] When a jury makes explicit its difficulties, the court should resolve them with specificity and accuracy [citations]. *** The failure to answer or the giving of a response which provides no answer to the particular question of law posed has been held to be prejudicial error.”
The supreme court viewed the question the jury submitted to the court in Childs as constituting “an explicit question which manifested juror confusion on a substantive legal issue.” Childs, 159 Ill. 2d at 229, 636 N.E.2d at 540. In our opinion, the question asked here constituted the same thing. Although Childs was a criminal case, we deem that distinction irrelevant and hold that the supreme court‘s analysis in Childs applies fully to civil cases as well.
The jurors here asked an explicit question: “Does a conspiracy have to be between [OCF] and another company, or can a conspiracy be within the same company ([OCF]) with the company officers conspiring among themselves?” (Emphasis in original.) This question is no less explicit than the question asked in Childs, whether the defendant “could be found guilty of armed robbery and either voluntary or involuntary manslaughter, or if a finding of guilt of armed robbery mandated a ‘guilty of murder’ verdict.” Childs, 159 Ill. 2d at 229, 636 N.E.2d at 540.
The jurors in this case specifically expressed their confusion regarding whether “one or more parties” in a conspiracy could mean OCF alone. Plaintiffs point out the court had earlier (and correctly) instructed the jury that--for a conspiracy to exist--OCF had to agree
Further, the jury‘s question here involved a substantive legal issue--namely, the elements of a civil conspiracy. In Adcock v. Brakegate, Ltd., 164 Ill. 2d 54, 62, 645 N.E.2d 888, 894 (1994), the supreme court held that a civil conspiracy consists of a combination of two or more persons or entities for the purpose of accomplishing by some concerted action either an unlawful purpose or a lawful purpose by unlawful means. However, a civil conspiracy cannot exist between a corporation‘s own officers or employees. See Salaymeh v. Interqual, Inc., 155 Ill. App. 3d 1040, 1044, 508 N.E.2d 1155, 1158 (1987); Bonanno v. La Salle & Bureau County R.R. Co., 87 Ill. App. 3d 988, 995, 409 N.E.2d 481, 486 (1980). Accordingly, because the jury‘s question here constituted “an explicit question which manifested juror confusion on a substantive legal issue,” we hold that the trial court abused its discretion in its response to the jury‘s written question--which was, in effect, no response at all.
Additionally, in our opinion, the jury‘s question of law concerned a potentially dispositive issue. Plaintiffs introduced into evidence several internal memoranda between OCF personnel in support of their claim that OCF conspired with other asbestos companies. OCF argued at trial that a conspiracy cannot exist when companies merely “acted similarly but independently of one another without agreement” and insufficient evidence existed to show that OCF had conspired with other asbestos companies. Thus, it was critical to OCF‘s defense that the jury understand that a conspiracy could not exist among OCF‘s officers. Given the considerable importance of this issue to OCF‘s defense, we conclude that the trial court‘s error in responding to the jury‘s question caused substantial prejudice to OCF and requires reversal.
In so concluding, we note that the better practice would have been for OCF‘s counsel to have provided the trial court with a written draft of the specific response counsel wanted the court to give the jury, just as counsel provides a written proposed instruction during the jury instruction conference.
“The court has received your note in which you ask two questions: (1) [Jury‘s first question]; and (2) [Jury‘s second question]. The answer to your first question is ‘the conspiracy has to be between OCF and another company,’ and the answer to your second question is “one or more parties” in a conspiracy means OCF and another company. ”
IV. ISSUES ON REMAND
OCF raises several other issues likely to arise on remand.
A. Late Entry by Coconspirator
OCF argues that, even if sufficient evidence existed that it ultimately joined the alleged conspiracy, OCF still may not be held liable unless it joined before the acts which caused plaintiffs’ injuries. OCF contends that a late-joining conspirator is not liable for any acts committed by coconspirators before it joins the conspiracy. In response, plaintiffs cite a statement appearing in Illinois Law and Practice that “every conspirator is liable for all of the acts of each of his co-conspirators done in furtherance of the objects of the conspiracy committed before or after his entry into the conspiracy.” 11 Ill. L. & Prac. Conspiracy § 16, at 150 (1981). We do not agree with either contention.
Although we believe it unfair to hold a late-joining conspirator responsible for all prior acts of its coconspirators simply because it ultimately joined the ongoing civil conspiracy, it does not follow that a late-joining conspirator is never responsible for prior acts of its
“Where one assists in the commission of a wrongful act against another, or with knowledge approves of it after it is done, if done for his benefit, and he avails himself of the fruits of such improper conduct, he is liable in the same manner as if he himself had committed the same wrongful act.” (Emphasis added.)
Further, we find instructive the decision in Havoco of America, Ltd. v. Shell Oil Co., 626 F.2d 549, 554 (7th Cir. 1980), in which the court wrote, “a co-conspirator who joins a conspiracy, with knowledge of what has gone on before and with an intent to pursue the same objectives” (emphasis added), may be held responsible for the prior acts of its coconspirators.
Consistent with the views expressed in Page and Havoco, we conclude that a party who, with knowledge and approval of the prior acts of its coconspirators, joins a preexisting civil conspiracy--by satisfying the elements of civil conspiracy as set forth in Adcock--is liable for those prior tortious acts of its coconspirators.
This conclusion is not inconsistent with the supreme court‘s decision in Adcock, which discussed the elements necessary to state a cause of action for conspiracy and held, in relevant part, as follows:
“Once a defendant knowingly agrees with another to commit an unlawful act or a lawful act in an unlawful manner, that defendant may be held liable for any tortious act committed in furtherance of the conspiracy, whether such tortious act is intentional or negligent in nature.” Adcock, 164 Ill. 2d at 64, 645 N.E.2d at 894-95.
The supreme court in Adcock did not address whether a late-joining conspirator may be liable for prior acts of its coconspirators.
In light of our conclusion that late-joining conspirators are liable for prior tortious acts only when it is proved they knew and approved of those prior acts, we hold that, on remand, to the extent plaintiffs allege that OCF joined the conspiracy after acts that caused Van Winkle‘s and Hicks’ injuries, they must present evidence that OCF knew and approved of the prior acts of the other asbestos companies when it joined the conspiracy in order to prove OCF is responsible for those prior acts. On appeal, plaintiffs contend OCF joined the alleged conspiracy “at least by 1953.” If plaintiffs so allege on remand, they must provide evidence that OCF knew and approved of the acts of the other asbestos companies during the 1930s and 1940s in order for OCF to be liable.
We also note that if the trial court, on remand, (1) finds suf-
Consistent with these views, we also hold that the trial court erred by giving plaintiffs’ tendered instruction, which read, in relevant part: “[Instruction No. 31A:] *** Each conspirator is liable for all of the acts of each conspirator done in furtherance of the objects of the conspiracy committed before, or after, its entry into the conspiracy.” Absent plaintiffs’ proving that OCF knew and approved of its coconspirators’ prior acts, this instruction did not accurately state the law.
B. Judicial Notice
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C. The Trial Court‘s Refusal To Allow Exhibits To Go to the Jury
OCF next argues the trial court erred when it “changed its mind about the admissibility” of three medical reports just prior to closing arguments. In response, plaintiffs argue that the court never reversed its ruling regarding the admissibility of the reports, but exercised its discretion by refusing to allow the exhibits to go to the jury during deliberations. We agree with plaintiffs.
Here, the trial court admitted into evidence three of OCF‘s exhibits: (1) a 1937 United States Public Health Service report; (2) a 1938 United States Public Health Service report; and (3) a 1955 article by a Saranac researcher. During the final jury instruction conference, the court declined “to submit those three documents to the jury.” The record clearly shows the court did not--as OCF
Thus, on remand, the trial court may, in its sound discretion, decline to submit these exhibits to the jury. However, the court should make clear to the parties that resolving what exhibits will go to the jury during deliberations is not the same as resolving what exhibits will be admitted into evidence. Just because the court has admitted an exhibit does not necessarily mean that it will go to the jury. The court should make clear that it will decide that issue after the court has ruled on the admissibility of the exhibits in question and prior to closing arguments (unless the court, in its discretion, makes that determination earlier in the proceedings).
D. Form of OCF‘s Special Interrogatories
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E. Nonpattern Instruction on Damages
OCF next argues that the trial court erred by giving plaintiffs’ tendered nonpattern instruction advising the jury that all damages awarded to the Van Winkles would have to be awarded to them in this action or not at all. We agree.
Plaintiffs Donald and Linda Van Winkle tendered the following instruction, asserting it was supported by the supreme court‘s holding in Varelis v. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 167 Ill. 2d 449, 657 N.E.2d 997 (1995):
“[Instruction No. 43:] If you find for the plaintiffs, Don and Linda Van Winkle, on the question of liability, the damages which you award in this case are all of the damages which they or Don Van Winkle‘s survivors will be permitted to recover for the injuries which he has sustained. Even if the plaintiff, Don Van Winkle, dies from the injuries, the law precludes his survivors from recovering any further damages.”
In Varelis (167 Ill. 2d at 460, 657 N.E.2d at 1002), the supreme court held that, under the Wrongful Death Act (
The pattern instructions actually given accurately stated the law governing damages awardable to Van Winkle if the jury found OCF liable for his injuries. We conclude that plaintiffs’ nonpattern instruction No. 43 was unnecessary and could be viewed as advising the jury to compensate Van Winkle for both his lifetime damages and his wrongful death in the present action (though this action did not seek compensation for Van Winkle‘s wrongful death). Accordingly, we hold that the trial court erred by giving this nonpattern instruction.
F. The Trial Court‘s Decision to Strike Mark Hicks’ Punitive Damages Request
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G. Judgment N.O.V.
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V. CONCLUSION
For the reasons stated, we reverse and remand for a new trial consistent with the views expressed herein.
Reversed and remanded.
KNECHT, J., concurs.
JUSTICE McCULLOUGH, dissenting:
When a question comes from a deliberating jury, a trial judge is faced with a dilemma. Almost any response not agreed to by the litigants becomes fodder for an appeal. Any selective reading or highlighting of certain instructions violates a command contained in the instructions--do not single out an instruction.
Counsel may make tactical decisions in recommending the choice of language of an instruction or which parts of a pattern instruction should be given. They do so for the best interests of their client. The cooperation that occurs is not altruistic, but it is nonetheless cooperation. The goal is to come up with a legally correct set of instructions to inform and guide the jury. Courts of review frequently admonish appellants they cannot complain about an instruction unless an alternative instruction was offered. Holder v. Caselton, 275 Ill. App. 3d 950, 959, 657 N.E.2d 680, 688 (1995); Kochan v. Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corp., 242 Ill. App. 3d 781, 800, 610 N.E.2d 683, 695 (1993).
If the answer was so easy and obvious, OCF could have proposed an instruction--i.e., a suggested response--in writing. Neither at trial nor at oral argument on appeal did OCF‘s counsel suggest precisely what the response should have been.
OCF complains on appeal about the court‘s response to the jury questions. OCF provided no meaningful assistance to the trial court in framing an appropriate response, nor did the plaintiffs. However, it is OCF that contends it was disadvantaged when the trial court replied with an accurate, often-used and standard response.
Our supreme court has stated:
“[A] trial court may exercise its discretion and properly decline to answer a jury‘s inquiries ‘where the instructions are readily understandable and sufficiently explain the relevant law, where further instructions would serve no useful purpose or would potentially mislead the jury, when the jury‘s inquiry involves a question of fact, or if the giving of an answer would cause the court to express an opinion which would likely direct a verdict one way or another.’ Childs, 159 Ill. 2d at 228[, 636 N.E.2d at 539].” People v. McDonald, 168 Ill. 2d 420, 460, 660 N.E.2d 832, 849-50 (1995).
The instructions previously given by the trial court correctly instructed the jury. The answer, given by the trial court, after conference with counsel, was not error.
With respect to the remand issues, I do not believe reversible error occurred and would affirm the judgment of the trial court.