Hainline v. Hukill

Mr. and Mrs. Wilburn L. Robertson and others filed suit on December 22, 1987, against several manufacturers of asbestos-containing products and the executive officers of their employer, Cities Service Oil Company (Cities Service).*fn1 Plaintiffs alleged that they had been diagnosed with asbestosis as a result of their occupational exposure to asbestos-containing products in the course of their employment. Owens-Illinois, Inc. and Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, joined by GAF Corporation, National Gypsum Company, United States Gypsum Company, Keene Corporation and Quigley Company, filed an exception of prescription to the claims of Mr. and Mrs. Robertson. The trial Judge granted the exception of prescription and dismissed the suit of Mr. and Mrs. Robertson against all defendants joined in the exception. The court of appeal affirmed.*fn2 We granted certiorari to review the correctness of that decision.*fn3