Legal Insights

Sinars Slowikowski Tomaska​ partner Owen Blood recently prevailed on a motion for summary judgment on behalf of J.P. Bushnell Packing Supply Company, a supplier of gaskets and packing, in a products liability case in McLean County, Illinois. The motion and oral argument before Judge Rebecca Foley focused on lack of causation evidence under Thacker v. UNR Industries, Inc. 151 Ill. 2d. 343 (1992).  

A former co-worker of the decedent testified that the decedent worked with and around our client’s gaskets and packing on boiler room pipes, valves and pumps. Owen successfully argued that Thacker’s “frequency, regularity and proximity” test to establish causation had not been met and that there was insufficient evidence that the gaskets and packing at issue contained asbestos. 

After taking the matter under advisement following oral arguments, Judge Foley released a written opinion on May 31, 2016 granting the motion. Schaab Order. The case had been set for trial on June 13, 2016.