Hanly v. Quaker Chemical Co.
This case involves an appeal and cross-appeal stemming from a wrongful death and personal injury action. The plaintiff, representing a deceased sanitation worker, sued Quaker Chemical Company, Inc. and Zina Gamuzza. The worker died after being sprayed by hydrofluoric acid from a bursting container. The plaintiff alleged Quaker failed to adequately label the container and Gamuzza, an apartment building owner, was negligent in its disposal. The Supreme Court granted summary judgment to Quaker on the labeling claims, which the appellate court affirmed due to preemption by the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The Supreme Court's denial of summary judgment for Gamuzza was reversed on cross-appeal, dismissing all claims against her due to insufficient admissible evidence.