Root v. Eastern Refractories Co.
The plaintiff, representing a decedent exposed to asbestos from 1950-1993 and later diagnosed with asbestosis and mesothelioma, brought suit against Eastern Refractories Co., Inc. The plaintiff alleged the decedent's exposure was due to Eastern's ERCO-Mat product while employed at Syracuse University. Eastern moved for summary judgment, asserting it did not supply asbestos-containing products to the university during the relevant period. However, the plaintiff presented conflicting deposition testimony from the decedent and an Eastern employee, indicating that ERCO-Mat blankets contained asbestos and were supplied by Eastern. The appellate court found that the Supreme Court erred in granting summary judgment, as the plaintiff successfully raised a triable issue of fact, leading to the reversal of the lower court's order, denial of the summary judgment motion, and reinstatement of the complaint against Eastern Refractories Co., Inc.