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Bennett v. National Gypsum Co.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District
Jul 18, 1986
491 So. 2d 1161 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1986)

Opinion

No. 85-1697.

June 11, 1986. Rehearing Denied July 18, 1986.

Appeal from the Circuit Court, Pinellas County, Jerry R. Parker, J.

Mark H. Perenich of Perenich Carroll, P.A., Clearwater, for appellant.

Sharon Lee Stedman of Rumberger, Kirk, Caldwell, Cabaniss Burke, Orlando, for appellee National Gypsum Co.

Rex E. Delcamp of Glenn M. Woodworth, P.A., St. Petersburg, for appellee U.S. Gypsum Co.

J. Michael Nifong and Gregg R. Schwartz of Finley, Kumble, Wagner, Heine, Underberg, Manley Casey, Miami, for appellee Georgia-Pacific Corp.


This is an appeal from the trial court's dismissal of Mary Bennett's fourth amended complaint which was grounded on the tort theory of product liability. It is appellant's contention that the trial court erred since she sufficiently alleged a "market share" theory of products liability. Alternatively, she contends that she has sufficiently set out a cause of action based on the traditional theory of strict liability. We disagree with appellant's first contention but agree with her second.

There is no cause of action founded on a "market share" theory of product liability in a case where, as here, appellant identified appellees as the manufacturers of the asbestos products to which her deceased husband was fatally exposed. Celotex Corp. v. Copeland, 471 So.2d 533 (Fla. 1985). Even though that be so, we reverse because appellant has sufficiently alleged the proper elements of a cause of action based on the traditional theory of strict liability. West v. Caterpillar Tractor Co., 336 So.2d 80 (Fla. 1976); Hammonds v. Buckeye Cellulose Corp., 285 So.2d 7 (Fla. 1973); Fla.R.Civ.P. 1.110(b).

Reversed and remanded for reinstatement of the complaint and for further proceedings.

SCHEB, A.C.J., and DANAHY and FRANK, JJ., concur.


Summaries of

Bennett v. National Gypsum Co.

District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District
Jul 18, 1986
491 So. 2d 1161 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1986)
Case details for

Bennett v. National Gypsum Co.

Case Details

Full title:MARY BENNETT, AS PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE ESTATE OF RAYMOND BENNETT…

Court:District Court of Appeal of Florida, Second District

Date published: Jul 18, 1986

Citations

491 So. 2d 1161 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1986)

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