Gerri S. Coogan v. Borg-warner Morse Tec, Inc.

Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
April 7, 2020
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
GERRI S. COOGAN, the spouse of JERRY D. No. 51253-0-II
COOGAN, deceased, and JAMES P.
SPURGETIS, solely in his capacity as the
Personal Representative of the Estate of
JERRY D. COOGAN, Deceased,
Respondents, ORDER GRANTING MOTION FOR
RECONSIDERATION
vs. TO CORRECT ERRORS
BORG-WARNER MORSE TEC INC., (sued
individually and as successor-in-interest to
BORG-WARNER CORPORATION), et al.,
Defendants,
GENUINE PARTS COMPANY d/b/a
NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
ASSOCIATION (a/k/a NAPA), and
NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
ASSOCIATION,
Appellants.
Appellants Genuine Parts Company and National Automotive Parts Association request
this court to reconsider its February 19, 2020 decision to correct two errors. After consideration,
we grant Appellant’s motion and amend the opinion in part as follows:
On page 2, in footnote 1, we remove “this prehearing” and replace it with “this opinion.”
No. 51253-0-II
On page 28, in the second paragraph, we remove “Defense counsel’s question” and replace
it with "The Coogans' attorney's question."
We do not amend any other portion of the opinion or the result. Accordingly, it is
SO ORDERED.
MAXA, C.J.
We concur:
LEE, J.
MELNICK, J.
2
Filed
Washington State
Court of Appeals
Division Two
February 19, 2020
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
DIVISION II
GERRI S. COOGAN, the spouse of JERRY D. No. 51253-0-II
COOGAN, deceased, and JAMES P. SPURGETIS,
solely in his capacity as the Personal Representative
of the Estate of JERRY D. COOGAN, Deceased,
Respondents, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
vs.
BORG-WARNER MORSE TEC INC., (sued
individually and as successor-in-interest to BORG-
WARNER CORPORATION); CATERPILLAR
GLOBAL MINING, LLC (sued individually and as
a successor-in-interest to BUCYRUS
INTERNATIONAL f/k/a BUCYRUS-ERIE CO.);
CERTAINTEED CORPORATION; DANA
COMPANIES LLC (sued individually and as
successor-in-interest to VICTOR GASKET
MANUFACTURING COMPANY); DEERE &
COMPANY d/b/a JOHN DEERE; FMC
CORPORATION (d/b/a LINK-BELT Cranes and
Heavy Construction Equipment); FORMOSA
PLASTICS CORPORATION U.S.A. (sued
individually and as parent, alter ego and successor-
in-interest to J-M MANUFACTURING COMPANY
and to J-M A/C PIPE CORPORATION);
HOLLINGSWORTH & VOSE COMPANY;
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC. f/k/a
ALLIED-SIGNAL, INC. (sued individually and as
successor-in-interest to BENDIX
CORPORATION); J-M MANUFACTURING
COMPANY, INC. (sued individually and as parent
and alter ego to J-M A/C PIPE CORPORATION);
KAISER GYPSUM COMPANY, INC.; LINK-
BELT CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT
No. 51253-0-II
COMPANY, L.P., LLLP; NORTHWEST DRYER
& MACHINERY CO.; OFFICEMAX,
INCORPORATED (f/k/a BOISE CASCADE
CORPORATION); PARKER-HANNIFIN
CORPORATION; PNEUMO ABEX LLC (sued as
successor-in-interest to ABEX CORPORATION);
SABERHAGEN HOLDINGS, INC. (sued as
successor-in-interest to THE BROWER
COMPANY); STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS,
INC. d/b/a EIS; SPX CORPORATION (sued
individually and as successor-in-interest to UNITED
DOMINION INDUSTRIES LIMITED f/k/a AMCA
International Corporation, individually and as
successor in interest to Desa Industries Inc and/or
Insley Manufacturing as well as Koehring Company,
individually and as successor in interest to Schield
Bantam Company); TEREX CORPORATION d/b/a
Koehring Company individually and as successor in
interest to Schield Bantam Company; and
WELLONS, INC.,
Defendants,
GENUINE PARTS COMPANY d/b/a NATIONAL
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS ASSOCIATION (a/k/a
NAPA), and NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
ASSOCIATION,
Appellants.
MAXA, C.J. – Genuine Parts Company (GPC) and National Automotive Parts Association
(NAPA) appeal the trial court’s order denying their motion for a new trial under CR 59 in a
wrongful death action arising from Jerry “Doy” Coogan’s death from peritoneal mesothelioma, a
disease caused by exposure to asbestos. Doy1 died less than six months after he first saw a
doctor for symptoms and less than three months after he was diagnosed. Doy’s estate, his wife
1
To distinguish the members of the Coogan family from each other, this prehearing refers to
them by their first names. No offense is intended.
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No. 51253-0-II
Gerri Sue Coogan, and his adult daughters Roxana Coogan and Raquel Coogan Baxter
(collectively the Coogans) filed suit against GPC, NAPA, and several other entities associated
with the manufacture, distribution, and sale of products containing asbestos.
GPC and NAPA were the only defendants remaining after all the other defendants settled
or were dismissed. After a lengthy trial, the jury found both GPC and NAPA liable for Doy’s
death. The jury entered an $81.5 million verdict, which consisted of $30 million to Doy’s estate
for his pain and suffering, $30 million to Doy’s wife Sue for loss of marital consortium, $10
million each to Roxana and Raquel for their damages, and $1.5 million for the loss of Doy’s
services.
We reverse different portions of the damages verdict on independent grounds. First, we
hold that the trial court erred in excluding the testimony of a medical expert who would have
testified that Doy had stage 3 liver cirrhosis that likely would have shortened Doy’s life
expectancy to five years instead of 15 years. Therefore, a new trial is required on the loss of
consortium and loss of services claims, which directly relate to Doy’s life expectancy. Second,
we hold (with one judge dissenting) that the $30 million verdict in favor of Doy’s estate is so
excessive that it shocks the court’s conscience and therefore a new trial on the estate’s claim is
required under CR 59(a)(5).
We affirm the liability verdict against both GPC and NAPA. First, we hold (with one
judge dissenting) that the trial court did not err in concluding that Doy’s attorney did not commit
misconduct in the presentation of evidence and during closing argument. Second, we hold that
the trial court did not err in excluding evidence that five people who worked at the Spokane plant
of Wagstaff, Inc. at roughly the same time as Doy had contracted asbestos-related diseases.
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No. 51253-0-II
Third, we hold that the jury reasonably could infer from the evidence that NAPA was the
manufacturer, distributor, or seller of asbestos-containing products.
Accordingly, we reverse in part, affirm in part, and remand for a new trial on damages
only.
FACTS
Background
Doy was 67 years old when he died in 2015. He and Sue were married in 2011, but they
had lived together since 1995. Doy had two daughters from an earlier marriage: Roxana, who
was 46 years old when Doy died; and Raquel, who was 44 years old when Doy died. Sue also
had an adult daughter from a prior relationship, Kelly Marx.
GPC distributed automotive parts, including brakes and clutches, beginning in the 1920s.
GPC’s Rayloc division also remanufactured brakes and clutches using parts supplied by others.
These products contained asbestos. GPC is a primary NAPA distributor and has owned and
operated a NAPA auto parts distribution center in Spokane since the mid-1960s.
NAPA is a membership trade association. NAPA members own and operate retail auto
parts stores and parts distribution centers, which are licensed to use the NAPA logo and
trademark. Parts manufacturers also are licensed to use the NAPA logo and trademark on parts
supplied to NAPA members. But NAPA claims that it does not own or operate any stores and
does not sell or distribute any products.
Over the course of Doy’s working and personal life, he was exposed to asbestos from
multiple sources. These asbestos exposures included from GPC/Rayloc brakes and clutches and
American Brakeblok brakes purchased from NAPA auto parts stores. Both types of brakes were
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No. 51253-0-II
branded with the NAPA logo. Doy’s brother Jay Coogan operated a NAPA store in Colville for
several years, and Doy purchased Rayloc parts there.
Doy presented to a doctor in January 2015 with a swollen, distended belly and resulting
pain. No evidence was presented regarding when his symptoms started. Doy was diagnosed
with peritoneal mesothelioma in April 2015. Peritoneal mesothelioma is a cancer that occurs in
the lining of the abdominal cavity and is an asbestos-related disease. Doy’s health rapidly
declined. He died on July 1, 2015.
The Coogans filed a wrongful death lawsuit against GPC, NAPA, and many other
defendants alleging that Doy developed mesothelioma because of his exposure to asbestos-
containing products and equipment manufactured, sold and/or distributed by the defendants. The
Coogans settled their claims with some of these defendants before trial, some defendants were
dismissed, and others settled during trial. GPC and NAPA were the only defendants remaining
in the case when the jury rendered its verdict.
Trial Evidence Regarding Doy’s Pain and Suffering
At trial, the jury heard evidence that Doy had developed malignant peritoneal
mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos. His decline and resulting death occurred
rapidly, less than six months after first seeing a doctor for symptoms and less than three months
after being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma.
Doy’s mesothelioma initially developed in the peritoneum (the membrane which lines the
abdominal cavity) and eventually caused tumors in his abdomen, bowels, diaphragm, and lungs.
Doy developed severe ascites (fluid build-up) in his abdomen, which resulted in the painful
expansion of the belly as fluid pressed against organs and skin. This fluid build-up necessitated
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No. 51253-0-II
regular drainage from his abdomen. A catheter was placed in his chest to drain the fluid building
up around Doy’s lungs. Doy eventually received three rounds of chemotherapy.
Doy experienced dyspnea, or “air hunger,” a sensation of breathlessness caused by the
fluid build-up around his lungs. He suffered pain-related insomnia, constipation, dehydration,
and kidney failure. Doy’s condition also resulted in malnutrition and cachexia, which is the
weakness and wasting of the body due to severe chronic illness. His conditions required narcotic
pain medicine that affected his cognitive awareness.
Roxana testified that Doy never let his family see him in pain and died with much
dignity. But she stated that “I know he knew he was going to die.” 18 Report of Proceedings
(RP) at 79-80.
Exclusion of Evidence
The trial court excluded evidence in two areas. First, the court excluded the testimony of
Dr. Gary Schuster, GPC’s expert, that Doy had preexisting stage 3 cirrhosis of the liver. Dr.
Schuster presented an opinion that stage 3 cirrhosis reduced Doy’s life expectancy to five years
rather than the 15 years indicated by the life expectancy tables. The trial court ruled that the
expert testimony was inadmissible under ER 702 and also was unduly prejudicial under ER 403
because it included evidence of Doy’s alcohol use.
Second, the trial court excluded five asbestos-related workers’ compensation claims by
employees who worked at Wagstaff, Inc. during roughly the same period as Doy in the late
1960s. All five workers were employed at Wagstaff during the late 1960s or early 1970s,
worked with asbestos-containing boards, and later contracted asbestos-related diseases. The trial
court ruled that this evidence was irrelevant because there was no evidence that Doy had similar
exposures as the other workers.
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No. 51253-0-II
Challenged Conduct of Coogans’ Attorney
GPC alleges that the Coogans’ attorney engaged in misconduct by pursuing three lines of
questioning and by making three improper statements during closing argument. GPC did not
object to any of the closing argument statements. The details regarding the challenged conduct
are discussed below.
NAPA CR 50(a) Motion
Before the case was submitted to the jury, NAPA moved for judgment as a matter of law
under CR 50(a). NAPA renewed an argument first made in a summary judgment motion that the
Coogans’ claims against NAPA should be dismissed because NAPA was not a seller or
manufacturer of any products. The trial court denied the motion. The court noted “[t]he NAPA
store, the NAPA advertising, . . . the manner in which they marketed NAPA products, the NAPA
guarantee of quality” and decided to leave to the jury “NAPA’s status based on their presentation
to the consumer.” 43 RP at 194.
Jury Verdict
The jury found both GPC and NAPA liable under common law theories of negligence,
product liability design defect, and product liability failure to warn. Under the product liability
theories, the jury found that both GPC and NAPA had manufactured, distributed, or sold
products that were not reasonably safe.
The jury rendered a total verdict of $81.5 million, consisting of $30 million in non-
economic damages to Doy’s estate for his pain, suffering, anxiety, emotional distress,
humiliation and fear; $30 million to Sue for loss of marital consortium; $10 million each to
Roxana and Raquel for their damages, and $1.5 million in economic damages for the loss of
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No. 51253-0-II
Doy’s services. After offsetting settlement amounts paid by other defendants, the trial court
entered judgment against GPC and NAPA for $77,105,000.
Post-Trial Motions
GPC and NAPA moved for a new trial under CR 59(a). They argued that the verdict was
excessive and that the Coogans’ attorney had committed misconduct during the presentation of
evidence and closing argument. The trial court denied the motion.
GPC and NAPA appeal the trial court’s denial of their CR 59(a) motion for a new trial
and the two referenced evidentiary rulings. NAPA also appeals the trial court’s denial of its CR
50(a) motion for judgment as a matter of law.
ANALYSIS
A. DR. SCHUSTER’S OPINION REGARDING CIRRHOSIS
GPC argues that the trial court erred in excluding Dr. Schuster’s expert medical opinion
that Doy had stage 3 liver cirrhosis and at most had five years to live instead of the 15 years
shown in the life expectancy tables. We agree.
1. Legal Principles
a. ER 702
ER 702 states that a court may permit a witness qualified as an expert to provide an
opinion regarding scientific or specialized knowledge if such testimony may assist the trier of
fact. “Admission is proper provided the expert is qualified and his or her testimony is helpful.”
Volk v. DeMeerleer, 187 Wash. 2d 241, 277, 386 P.3d 254 (2016).
However, an expert opinion that lacks adequate foundation must be excluded. Johnston-
Forbes v. Matsunaga, 181 Wash. 2d 346, 357, 333 P.3d 388 (2014). Similarly, expert testimony
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No. 51253-0-II
that is unreliable is not helpful to the jury and must be excluded. Volk, 187 Wash. 2d at 277.
Speculative and conclusory expert testimony is not admissible. See id.
Before allowing an expert to render an opinion, the trial court must find that there
is an adequate foundation so that an opinion is not mere speculation, conjecture, or
misleading. It is the proper function of the trial court to scrutinize the expert’s
underlying information and determine whether it is sufficient to form an opinion on
the relevant issue.
Johnston-Forbes, 181 Wash. 2d at 357.
In making the determination of whether an expert’s opinion is admissible, the court must
focus on the information supporting the expert’s opinion, not the validity of the opinion. Id.
“When Washington courts have previously refused to admit expert testimony as speculative,
admission hinges on the expert’s basis for forming the opinion, not on the expert’s conclusions.”
Volk, 187 Wash. 2d at 277.
“[T]rial courts are afforded wide discretion and trial court expert opinion decisions will
not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of such discretion.” Johnston-Forbes, 181 Wash. 2d at
355. But an abuse of discretion occurs when the trial court’s ruling is “unsupported by the
record or result[s] from applying the wrong legal standard.” Gilmore v. Jefferson County Pub.
Transp. Benefit Area, 190 Wash. 2d 483, 494, 415 P.3d 212 (2018).
b. ER 403
ER 403 states that relevant evidence may be excluded “if its probative value is
substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.” “ ‘Evidence may be unfairly
prejudicial under ER 403 if it is . . . likely to trigger an emotional response rather than a rational
decision among the jurors.’ ” Lodis v. Corbis Holdings Inc., 192 Wash. App. 30, 48, 366 P.3d
1246 (2015) (quoting Hayes v. Wieber Enters., Inc., 105 Wash. App. 611, 618, 20 P.3d 496
(2001)). Another characterization of unfair prejudice is evidence that “appeals to the jury’s
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No. 51253-0-II
sympathies, arouses its sense of horror, provokes its instinct to punish, or ‘triggers other
mainsprings of human action.’ ” Carson v. Fine, 123 Wash. 2d 206, 223, 867 P.2d 610 (1994)
(quoting 1 JACK B WEINSTEIN & MARGARET A. BERGER, EVIDENCE § 403[03], at 403-36 (1985)).
However, ER 403 does not apply to “ordinary prejudice.” Carson, 123 Wash. 2d at 224.
“[N]early all evidence will prejudice one side or the other in a lawsuit. Evidence is not rendered
inadmissible under ER 403 just because it may be prejudicial.” Id. ER 403 addresses only
whether “unfair” prejudice outweighs the probative value of the evidence. See id.
In addition, the Supreme Court in Carson emphasized that “[t]he ability of the danger of
unfair prejudice to substantially outweigh the probative force of evidence is ‘quite slim’ where
the evidence is undeniably probative of a central issue in the case.” Id. (emphasis added)
(quoting United States v. 0.161 Acres of Land, 837 F.2d 1036, 1041 (11th Cir. 1988)). Other
courts have repeated this admonition. E.g., Gerlach v. Cove Apts., LLC, 8 Wash. App. 2d 813,
820, 446 P.3d 624, review granted, 193 Wash. 2d 1037 (2019); Lodis, 192 Wash. App. at 48.
We review the exclusion of evidence under ER 403 for an abuse of discretion. Taylor v.
Intuitive Surgical, Inc., 187 Wash. 2d 743, 766, 389 P.3d 517 (2017).
2. Pretrial Motion to Exclude
The Coogans’ pretrial motion to exclude Dr. Schuster’s testimony was based on excerpts
from his deposition and a few medical records. Dr. Schuster’s opinion was that (1) Doy had a
significant alcohol ingestion history, (2) which probably led to cirrhosis, and (3) the “presence of
the nodular liver, swollen liver, enlarged spleen, varices with increase[s] noted in the perisplenic
and portal[] vasculature” was consistent with cirrhosis. Clerk’s Papers (CP) at 4712. He also
stated, “[W]e can assume that certainly ascites are related to mesothelioma, I have no doubt that
that was there, however, certainly I believe that the cirrhosis was present enough.” CP at 4712.
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No. 51253-0-II
Regarding Doy’s mortality, Dr. Schuster stated that “his liver being cirrhotic is
approximately 20 percent per year, and so if that’s the case, his longevity . . . would likely have
been about 5 more years of life.” CP 4712.
When asked how he arrived at his conclusion that Doy had cirrhosis of the liver, Dr.
Schuster stated:
[W]e have a 3-D CT that shows a nodular liver, enlarged spleen, which is consistent
with a portal hypertension. We have got perisplenic portal and paracentesis . . .
noted on the original CT. We have -- and obviously we have ascites, but it’s
complicated by the fact that he’s got a peritoneal mesothelioma, however, one can’t
say that some of the evacuation [is] not from . . . the cirrhosis. The albumin is a
little bit low, 2.6 or 2.7. All of these factors would on a prominent basis, plus[],
significant alcohol ingest[ion] history, would make this more likely than not
consistent with that diagnosis.
CP at 4714.
When asked how he concluded that Doy’s lifespan would be reduced to five years, Dr.
Schuster stated that Doy was a “stage 3 decompensated cirrhotic” because he had varices and
ascites. CP at 4714. Earlier, Dr. Schuster had stated that “varices with ascites would be a stage
3 disease, which is the 20 percent cumulative undelayed death.” CP at 4713. Regarding the
ascites, Dr. Schuster stated, “[C]ertainly I can say there’s contribution substantially from the
cancer, but you cannot exclude, and given all the other co-factors, you can’t say that the ascites
was also not involved with the cirrhosis some. He’s got ascites and therefore, that puts him at a
stage 3.” CP at 4714 (emphasis added).
A CT scan taken in January 2015 (before Doy was diagnosed with mesothelioma)
showed a large amount of ascites, associated cirrhosis and portal hypertension, as well as
nodularity. An ultrasound on the same date showed ascites surrounding the liver and one
impression was “reduced size of the liver suggesting cirrhosis.” CP at 4721. In a consultation
report, a doctor’s impression was “[c]irrhosis of the liver by CT scan associated with ascites,
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No. 51253-0-II
portal hypertension, varices, and hypersplenomegaly.” CP at 4719. But the doctor was bothered
by the fact that Doy had “normal liver function tests” and “no stigmata of liver disease on exam.”
CP at 4719.
The trial court excluded this testimony in a pretrial ruling because of the “unreliable basis
for that opinion” and under ER 403 because of “the prejudicial effect of characterizing [Doy] as
an alcoholic, a chronic, heavy drinker.” 2 RP at 97. The court stated, “I think that the prejudicial
value greatly outweighs the probative value.” 2 RP at 99.
3. Offer of Proof During Trial
The trial court revisited the subject of Dr. Schuster’s testimony during trial. As an offer
of proof, Dr. Schuster testified outside the jury’s presence regarding his opinions.
a. Dr. Schuster Testimony
Dr. Schuster had an extensive background in diagnostics and internal medicine, including
the diagnosis and treatment of cirrhosis. In developing his opinions, he reviewed Doy’s medical
records and diagnostic imaging reports.
Dr. Schuster stated his opinion that Doy “had a stage 3 level of liver disease or cirrhosis”
and as a result had a “lifespan of a maximum of approximately five years.” 26 RP at 145. He
explained the three stages of cirrhosis, culminating in the development of ascites.
Regarding ascites, Dr. Schuster stated, “[T]here is absolutely no question in my mind that
the ascites is also contributed to significantly because of the peritoneal tumor. That’s not a
question. But what’s important to understand is at the point that he had an enlarged spleen . . .
now you have a situation where that is going to create some ascites, as well.” 26 RP at 146-47
(emphasis added). Dr. Schuster stated that the key supporting factors for his opinion was a
nodular liver, enlarged spleen, and enlarged vessels.
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No. 51253-0-II
Dr. Schuster also emphasized that “it’s clear in the literature you can have normal liver
function tests in the presence of stage 3 cirrhosis.” 26 RP at 148. In fact, Dr. Schuster testified
at length that normal liver tests do not mean that a person does not have cirrhosis. He relied on
four articles from medical journals to support this opinion. Dr. Schuster testified that one of the
articles stated that “chronic liver disease . . . usually is asymptomatic until it’s [sic] late stages.”
26 RP at 149. He concluded, “You often see abnormal liver function tests. No one is denying
that. But you can have normal [test results] and have cirrhosis.” 26 RP at 150.
Dr. Schuster explained that a person with stage 2 cirrhosis does not have ascites, and has
a much longer life expectancy. A person has stage 3 cirrhosis when ascites are present. At that
point, a person’s life expectancy is five years.
Dr. Schuster noted that none of Doy’s treating physicians ruled out cirrhosis. He stated
that once the doctors made the mesothelioma diagnosis, they ascribed the ascites to that and
stopped looking at cirrhosis.
Dr. Schuster agreed that the record showed that Doy had a substantial history of alcohol
use. This included one estimate of five to seven beers and one estimate of six to eight beers a
day, plus a couple of cocktails. Dr. Schuster stated that the record he saw indicated that this
consumption had gone on for 20 years and possibly longer.
On cross-examination, Dr. Schuster admitted that a significant source of the ascites was
Doy’s cancer. When asked whether he had determined how much of the fluid buildup was
because of the mesothelioma versus the cirrhosis, Dr. Schuster stated:
You can’t. It contributes. So what you have to say is based on where his liver
dysfunction was, it would be expected that there would likely be some fluid
accumulating, some ascites given perisplenic and periportal hypertension based on
the varices and the findings that we’re seeing.
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No. 51253-0-II
Now, it doesn’t mean that none of the ascites, as I said earlier, was not from the
tumor. It clearly was tumor related.
26 RP at 160 (emphasis added).
The following question and answer then occurred:
Q. You said that a significant amount of it would have been the tumor. I guess my
follow-up question is whether zero percent, one percent, 12 percent would have
been because of your belief of cirrhosis? Anyway to figure that out?
A. You can’t. The point is he did have cirrhosis.
26 RP at 160.
Dr. Schuster later agreed that stage 3 cirrhosis requires the presence of ascites. He also
agreed that the sole basis for his opinion that Doy had a five year life expectancy was his belief
that Doy had stage 3 cirrhosis.
The following question and answer occurred:
Q. Is there anything else that you considered at all, in terms of staging the alleged
cirrhosis that Doy Coogan had, other than the presence of his ascites?
A. Sure. As I had mentioned earlier, the ascites reflects the liver dysfunction,
which we know he has large portal veins, the varices. He has an enlarged spleen.
26 RP at 163 (emphasis added).
b. Trial Court Ruling
After hearing the offer of proof, the trial court stated that under ER 701-705, the court in
its gatekeeping function must “find that the evidence will be probative of an issue that is properly
before the jury and that the evidence proffered would have relevance beyond [its] prejudicial
effect.” 26 RP at 165. The court concluded that “I do not believe that that threshold has been
met.” 26 RP at 165.
The court indicated that the evidence did not show that Doy had stage 3 cirrhosis because
he had normal liver function tests:
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No. 51253-0-II
[W]hat I heard was that in the literature the blood chemistry, which in Mr. Doy Coogan
was normal, can remain normal until the last stages -- plural, stages -- and since there are
four stages of cirrhosis of the liver, the last stages would be three and four. And I believe
Dr. Schuster stated that at some point with stage 3 cirrhosis, one would expect to see at
least an elevation to the top end of the normal range in an individual that was suffering
from cirrhosis.
26 RP at 165-66.
The court also concluded that the ascites resulted only from the mesothelioma:
The ascites, I’m convinced based upon the medical information that has been
promulgated so far, is the result of the peritoneal mesothelioma. Dr. Schuster
appropriately acknowledges that it is probably the main contributing factor. And he is
unable to tease out the degree to which, if any, the cirrhosis was also a factor in the
development of these ascites. But the records, medical records, indicate that the ascites
did not develop, or at least were not discovered, until and contemporaneous with the
discovery of advanced peritoneal mesothelioma, which within seven months of [t]his
discovery caused Mr. Coogan’s death.
26 RP at 166.
Finally, the trial court noted that no other witnesses testified that Doy had cirrhosis.
“[N]one of the treating physicians or the examining specialist have ever affirmatively testified
that Mr. Doy Coogan suffered from cirrhosis of the liver and had a shortened life expectancy on
that basis, nor are they expected to so testify.” 26 RP at 166.
The court concluded, “The determination that Mr. Coogan’s life expectancy was between
one and five years under these circumstances, because of a diagnosis of cirrhosis of the liver,
becomes too attenuated and in many respects speculative.” 26 RP at 166.
4. ER 702 Analysis
Here, the parties do not dispute that Dr. Schuster was a qualified expert in internal
medicine, and the trial court recognized him as such. The only question then is whether Dr.
Schuster’s opinion on Doy’s life expectancy was speculative and therefore not helpful to the
jury.
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No. 51253-0-II
Dr. Schuster’s key opinion was that Doy had stage 3 cirrhosis. Only if the cirrhosis had
reached stage 3 would Doy’s life expectancy be limited to five years. And a person has stage 3
cirrhosis only if ascites are present. Doy had ascites, but Dr. Schuster acknowledged that the
mesothelioma contributed significantly to their development. However, he also testified that the
cirrhosis also would have caused the ascites to some unknown degree.
The trial court stated that Dr. Schuster’s opinion was too attenuated and speculative,
essentially concluding that the opinion did not have an adequate foundation. But the trial court’s
oral ruling suggests that the court was improperly weighing the evidence rather than evaluating
the foundation of Dr. Schuster’s opinions. In other words, the court acted as a fact finder rather
than a gatekeeper regarding Dr. Schuster’s testimony.
First, the court asserted that “the literature” stated that blood chemistry could remain
normal until the “last stages” of cirrhosis, and because “stages” was plural that word must refer
to both stage 3 and stage 4. 26 RP at 165. The court also stated that Dr. Schuster testified that a
person with stage 3 cirrhosis would have an elevation to the top of the normal range. The court
seemed to be suggesting that because Doy’s liver function tests were normal, he could not have
had stage 3 cirrhosis.
However, Dr. Schuster very clearly gave an opinion that a person could have stage 3
cirrhosis with normal liver function tests. And he provided the foundation for that opinion – four
articles from medical journals that supported his testimony. Instead of acknowledging that
foundation, the court interpreted the plural term “last stages” in one of the articles Dr. Schuster
relied on as stating that a person would not have normal liver function tests at stage 3. But Dr.
Schuster’s did not say that “last stages” in the article referred to stage 3. And the other three
articles did not contain a similar statement. Essentially, the court concluded that his
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No. 51253-0-II
interpretation of one term in one article outweighed Dr. Schuster’s opinion, supported by three
other articles, that a person could have stage 3 cirrhosis with normal liver function tests.
Further, the court misstated Dr. Schuster’s testimony. Dr. Schuster did not testify that
“one would expect to see at least an elevation to the top end of the normal range in an individual
that was suffering from cirrhosis” as the court stated. 26 RP at 166.
Second, the trial court stated, “The ascites, I’m convinced based upon the medical
information that has been promulgated so far, is the result of the peritoneal mesothelioma.” 26
RP at 166 (emphasis added). This comment suggests that the court was engaging in a fact-
finding role rather than a gatekeeper role. Dr. Schuster gave an opinion that the cirrhosis also
was contributing to the ascites, and provided the foundation for that opinion – that the level of
liver dysfunction and the enlarged spleen meant that ascites would be expected. Instead of
acknowledging that foundation, the court simply disagreed with Dr. Schuster’s opinion.
The court also emphasized that Dr. Schuster could not state the degree to which the
cirrhosis contributed to the ascites compared to the mesothelioma. But that degree was
immaterial to Dr. Schuster’s opinion. He was clear that Doy had cirrhosis that caused some
ascites, which meant that he had stage 3 cirrhosis.
The Coogans point out that Dr. Schuster was asked on cross-examination whether he
could say whether zero percent, or one percent, or 12 percent of Doy’s ascites related to
cirrhosis, and he answered “You can’t.” 26 RP at 160. They claim that this constituted an
admission that he could not tell whether cirrhosis caused any of the ascites. But Dr. Schuster
followed up by saying, “The point is he did have cirrhosis.” 26 RP at 160 (emphasis added).
And in other parts of his testimony he made it clear that his opinion was that cirrhosis did
contribute to the ascites to some degree.
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No. 51253-0-II
Third, the trial court noted that none of the treating physicians or the examining specialist
had testified that Doy had cirrhosis. But this is not an appropriate consideration for evaluating
the foundation of an expert’s testimony. Experts often disagree with each other. Just because an
expert has a different opinion than other witnesses says nothing about the reliability of that
expert’s testimony.
In conclusion, the trial court’s oral ruling reveals that the court was not addressing the
adequacy of the foundation of Dr. Schuster’s opinions. The court was articulating arguments to
support the court’s conclusion that Dr. Schuster’s opinion was incorrect. In other words, the
court was focusing on Dr. Schuster’s actual opinions, not the basis for forming those opinions.
See Volk, 187 Wash. 2d at 277.
We conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in excluding Dr. Schuster’s
testimony under ER 702.
5. ER 403 Analysis
The trial court based its ruling in part on ER 403. In its pretrial ruling, the trial court
stated that characterizing Doy as “an alcoholic, a chronic, heavy drinker” was “unduly
prejudicial” under ER 403. 2 RP at 97. After hearing the offer of proof, the court ruled that Dr.
Schuster’s opinion did not meet the threshold requirement that evidence be probative of an issue
before the jury and relevant beyond its prejudicial effect, and was concerned about admitting
evidence of Doy’s alcohol use.
Evidence of prior alcohol abuse has the potential to be very prejudicial. Colley v.
PeaceHealth, 177 Wash. App. 717, 733, 312 P.3d 989 (2013); see also Kramer v. J.I. Case Mfg.
Co., 62 Wash. App. 544, 559-60, 815 P.2d 798 (1991). However, in his offer of proof Dr. Schuster
did not testify about the cause of Doy’s cirrhosis. And the offer of proof included only a brief
20
No. 51253-0-II
reference to Doy’s substantial history of alcohol use. Doy’s alcohol use clearly was not an
integral part of Dr. Schuster’s testimony.
Further, before trial defense attorneys offered to introduce Dr. Schuster’s opinion without
stating that Doy was an alcoholic, referencing Doy’s pattern of alcohol consumption, or making
the connection between cirrhosis and alcohol consumption. Even though this offer was not
renewed during the offer of proof, the trial court could have precluded Dr. Schuster from
referencing alcohol in his testimony. This alternative would have allowed Dr. Schuster to give
his opinions that Doy had stage 3 cirrhosis which reduced his life expectancy to five years
without discussing prejudicial information about Doy’s alcohol consumption.
In addition, Dr. Schuster’s testimony was “undeniably probative of a central issue in the
case.” Carson, 123 Wash. 2d at 224. The claims of Doy’s wife and adult children directly
depended on how long Doy likely would live, making that a central issue. Therefore, whether
Doy had a life expectancy of five years rather than 15 years as shown by the life expectancy
tables was highly probative. The Supreme Court in Carson indicated that ER 403 generally
cannot be used to exclude crucial evidence. See id.
The Coogans argue that Dr. Schuster’s testimony had minimal probative value, claiming
that he lacked support for his opinion that Doy had stage 3 cirrhosis. However, as discussed
above, Dr. Schuster’s opinions had enough of a foundation to make his testimony admissible
under ER 702. And the Coogans’ argument that his testimony should be given little weight does
not mean that the testimony was not probative of a central issue in the case.
We conclude that the trial court abused its discretion by excluding Dr. Schuster’s highly
probative testimony under ER 403 rather than simply precluding any reference to alcohol in that
testimony.
21
No. 51253-0-II
6. Summary
The trial court abused its discretion in ruling that Dr. Schuster’s opinion testimony
regarding Doy’s life expectancy should not be admitted under ER 702 and ER 403.
Accordingly, we hold that the trial court erred in excluding that testimony. We order a new
damages trial on the loss of consortium and loss of services claims because those claims
necessarily were impacted by Doy’s life expectancy.
B. EXCESSIVENESS OF PAIN AND SUFFERING VERDICT
GPC and NAPA argue that the trial court abused its discretion in denying their motion for
a new trial under CR 59(a)(5) because the jury’s $81.5 million verdict was excessive. We do not
address this issue for the damages awarded on the loss of consortium and loss of services claims
because we have ordered a new trial on those claims based on the erroneous exclusion of Dr.
Schuster’s testimony. We hold that the $30 million verdict in favor of the estate for Doy’s pain
and suffering is excessive and that a new trial is required on that claim under CR 59(a)(5).
1. Legal Principles
Under CR 59(a)(5), a party may move for vacation of the verdict and a new trial based on
“[d]amages so excessive or inadequate as unmistakably to indicate that the verdict must have
been the result of passion or prejudice.”
We generally will not disturb the jury’s verdict unless it (1) “is outside the range of
substantial evidence in the record,” (2) “appears to have been arrived at as the result of passion
or prejudice,” or (3) “shocks the conscience of the court.” Bingaman v. Grays Harbor Cmty.
Hosp., 103 Wash. 2d 831, 835, 699 P.2d 1230 (1985); see also Bunch v. King County Dep’t of
Youth Servs., 155 Wash. 2d 165, 179, 116 P.3d 381 (2005); Washburn v. Beatt Equip. Co., 120
Wash. 2d 246, 268, 840 P.2d 860 (1992).
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No. 51253-0-II
First, although noneconomic damages generally are within the jury’s discretion, the
verdict still must be based on some evidence. Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 180. “Damages need not be
proved with mathematical certainty, but must be supported by competent evidence.” Hill v. GTE
Directories Sales Corp., 71 Wash. App. 132, 140, 856 P.2d 746 (1993).
Second, if a verdict is supported by substantial evidence, we cannot find that the verdict
was the result of passion and prejudice based on the size of the verdict alone. Brundridge v.
Fluor Fed. Servs., Inc., 164 Wash. 2d 432, 454, 191 P.3d 879 (2008). “Before passion or prejudice
can justify reduction of a jury verdict, it must be of such manifest clarity as to make it
unmistakable.” Bingaman, 103 Wash. 2d at 836. The record must show that “the jury was
prejudiced or incited to passion.” Washburn, 120 Wash. 2d at 280. For example, extreme or
inflammatory incidents may occur at trial that could not be neutralized by curative instructions.
Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 183.
Third, if the evidence supports the verdict and the record does not show unmistakable
passion or prejudice, the question is whether the size of the verdict “shocks the conscience of the
court.” Bingaman, 103 Wash. 2d at 836-37. The test is whether the damages awarded were
“flagrantly outrageous and extravagant.” Id. at 837. The damages must strike the court “ ‘at first
blush, as being, beyond all measure, unreasonable and outrageous.’ ” Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 179
(quoting Kramer v. Portland-Seattle Auto Freight, Inc., 43 Wash. 2d 386, 395, 261 P.2d 692
(1953)). An “outrageous” verdict is one that is “ ‘ so flagrantly bad that one’s sense of decency
or one’s power to suffer or tolerate is violated.’ ” Washburn, 120 Wash. 2d at 279 (quoting
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1603 (1981)). However, the verdict “does not
carry its own death warrant solely by reason of its size.” Bingaman, 103 Wash. 2d at 838.
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No. 51253-0-II
We focus on this third basis for granting relief under CR 59(a)(5). The question here is
whether the $30 million pain and suffering verdict shocks this court’s conscience.
When analyzing whether a verdict is so excessive as to warrant a new trial under CR
59(a)(5), we must recognize that the Washington Constitution delegates to the jury the
determination of damages and protects that role. Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 179; Sofie v. Fibreboard
Corp., 112 Wash. 2d 636, 645-46, 771 P.2d 711, 780 P.2d 260 (1989). The jury’s role is
particularly essential in determining noneconomic damages. Sofie, 112 Wash. 2d at 646. The
determination of the amount of damages in actions involving noneconomic damages “is
primarily and peculiarly within the province of the jury . . . and the courts should be and are
reluctant to interfere with the conclusion of a jury when fairly made.” Bingaman, 103 Wash. 2d at
835. As a result, “[w]e strongly presume the jury’s verdict is correct.” Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at
179.
We review for abuse of discretion a trial court’s denial of a CR 59(a) motion for a new
trial. Collins v. Clark County Fire Dist. No. 5, 155 Wash. App. 48, 81, 231 P.3d 1211 (2010). In
addition, “deference and weight are given to the evaluation of the trial court’s exercise of
discretion in denying a new trial on a claim of excessiveness.” Washburn, 120 Wash. 2d at 271.
The verdict is strengthened by the trial court’s denial of a new trial. Id. As a result, “it should be
and indeed is the rare case where we should substitute our judgment for that of the jury.” Id. at
278.
2. Excessive Verdict Analysis
The jury was instructed that it could consider the following to compensate Doy’s estate
for noneconomic damages: “The pain, suffering, anxiety, emotional distress, humiliation and fear
experienced by Doy Coogan prior to his death from mesothelioma.” CP at 14988. The damages
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No. 51253-0-II
instruction stated, “The law has not furnished us with any fixed standards by which to measure
noneconomic (pain and suffering) damages. With reference to these matters you must be
governed by your own judgment, by the evidence in the case, and by these instructions.” CP at
14988. The jury awarded $30 million for Doy’s noneconomic damages.
At trial, the jury heard evidence that Doy had developed malignant peritoneal
mesothelioma as a result of exposure to asbestos. He first presented with symptoms on January
11, 2015. His decline and resulting death occurred rapidly, less than six months after presenting
to a doctor with symptoms and less than three months after being diagnosed with peritoneal
mesothelioma.
There is no question that Doy experienced “pain, suffering, anxiety, emotional distress,
humiliation and fear,” which the jury was instructed to consider. CP at 14988. And we
acknowledge that the trial court did not believe that the verdict was excessive, and we do not
lightly disregard the court’s opinion. Finally, we recognize the reluctance of courts to overturn
jury verdicts involving noneconomic damages.
However, this is the rare case where we must disregard the jury’s verdict and the trial
court’s refusal to find the verdict excessive. The $30 million in noneconomic damages awarded
to Doy’s estate is so excessive that it shocks the court’s conscience. Doy’s health apparently was
unaffected until the last six months of his life. And the more severe symptoms occurred during
the last three months. Given the short time that Doy was sick, the jury’s $30 million award was
“flagrantly outrageous and extravagant” on its face. Bingaman, 103 Wash. 2d at 837. The award
amounted to over $164,000 for each day and over $5 million for each month from Doy’s first
presentation with symptoms to a doctor until his death.
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No. 51253-0-II
Our determination necessarily is a subjective one. The Supreme Court has provided no
objective basis for evaluating whether a verdict is excessive under CR 59(a)(5). See Washburn,
120 Wash. 2d at 266-68 (prohibiting the court from assessing excessiveness by comparing the
verdict against verdicts in other cases). We simply believe, at first blush, that the pain and
suffering verdict here is “ ‘beyond all measure, unreasonable and outrageous.’ ” Bunch, 155
Wash. 2d at 179 (quoting Kramer, 43 Wash. 2d at 395).
Accordingly, we hold that the trial court abused its discretion in denying GPC’s CR
59(a)(5) motion with regard to the noneconomic damages award to Doy’s estate.
C. EFFECT OF DAMAGES REVERSAL ON LIABILITY VERDICT
A new trial on damages does not necessarily require a new trial on the issue of liability.
See Dexheimer v. CDS, Inc., 104 Wash. App. 464, 477, 17 P.3d 641 (2001). A limited new trial
can be ordered when “ ‘the original issues were distinct and separate from each other and . . .
justice does not require the resubmission of the whole case to the jury.’ ” Id. (quoting Keegan v.
Grant County Pub. Util. Dist. No. 2, 34 Wash. App. 274, 285, 661 P.2d 146 (1983)).
Here, the liability and damages issues were separate and distinct. Therefore, the new trial
we order on the issue of damages does not automatically result in a new trial on liability.
However, GPC argues that the liability verdict must be reversed because of the alleged
misconduct of the Coogans’ attorney and the trial court’s alleged error in excluding evidence that
five employees who worked at Wagstaff, Inc. during roughly the same period as Doy contracted
asbestos-related diseases. And NAPA argues that the trial court erred by not dismissing NAPA
at the end of the trial. Therefore, we must address those arguments.2
2
GPC also argues that the trial court erred in denying its motion to set aside the verdict under
CR 60(b)(3) and (4) based on witness statements written in 2016 showing that that Doy and
Sue’s relationship and marriage was very unhappy. The Coogans did not disclose these
26
No. 51253-0-II
D. ATTORNEY MISCONDUCT
GPC argues that the trial court abused its discretion in denying its motion for a new trial
under CR 59(a)(2). GPC contends that the Coogans’ attorney’s questioning of witnesses and
comments in closing argument constituted misconduct that materially affected GPC’s and
NAPA’s substantial rights and caused the jury to base its verdict on passion and prejudice. We
disagree.
1. Legal Principles
CR 59(a)(2) provides that a verdict may be vacated and a new trial granted if
“misconduct of [the] prevailing party” materially affects the substantial rights of the other party.
We review a trial court’s denial of a motion for a new trial under CR 59(a)(2) for abuse of
discretion. Alum. Co. of Am. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 140 Wash. 2d 517, 537, 998 P.2d 856
(2000). In reviewing the trial court’s decision, we consider whether “ ‘such a feeling of
prejudice [has] been engendered or located in the minds of the jury as to prevent a litigant from
having a fair trial.’ ” Id. (quoting Moore v. Smith, 89 Wash. 2d 932, 942, 578 P.2d 26 (1978)).
“The trial court is in the best position to most effectively determine if counsel’s misconduct
prejudiced a party’s right to a fair trial.” Miller v. Kenny, 180 Wash. App. 772, 815, 325 P.3d 278
(2014).
A party seeking a new trial based on counsel’s conduct must establish that (1) the
conduct was misconduct, (2) the misconduct was prejudicial, (3) the misconduct was objected to
statements to GPC and NAPA before trial, and GPC claims that they either constituted newly
discovered evidence or reflected misconduct of the Coogans in failing to disclose them. We do
not address these arguments because they relate solely to the issue of damages, and we already
are remanding for a new damages trial.
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No. 51253-0-II
at trial, and (4) the misconduct was not cured by the trial court’s instructions. Teter v. Deck, 174
Wash. 2d 207, 226, 274 P.3d 336 (2012).
Unless the record clearly shows some prejudicial effect, we must defer to the trial court’s
denial of a new trial because the trial court is in the best position to assess the prejudicial impact
of counsel’s conduct on the jury. Gilmore, 190 Wash. 2d at 503. This is particularly the case when
the grounds for a new trial involve an assessment of counsel’s misconduct during trial and the
potential effect on the jury. Id.
2. Questioning of Witnesses
GPC argues that questions the Coogans’ attorney asked when examining witnesses
constituted misconduct that required a new trial under CR 59(a)(2). We agree that one of the
Coogans’ attorney’s questions was improper, but we disagree that a new trial is required.
a. Legal Principles
The Rules of Evidence impose a duty on counsel to keep inadmissible evidence from the
jury. ER 103(c). Continually and knowingly asking questions that are objectionable is
misconduct. 14A DOUGLAS J. ENDE, WASHINGTON PRACTICE: CIVIL PRACTICE § 30:34 (3d ed.
2018). Even where the court sustains the objections, the misconduct is still prejudicial because it
forces opposing counsel to make constant objections. Id. “[R]epeated objections, even if
sustained, leave the jury with the impression that the objecting party is hiding something
important. Misconduct that continues after warnings can give rise to a conclusive implication of
prejudice.” Teter, 174 Wash. 2d at 223.
In Teter, the Supreme Court upheld the trial court’s grant of a new trial based on
counsel’s misconduct. Id. at 222. In that case, defense counsel repeatedly tried to elicit
testimony about subjects the court ruled inadmissible or irrelevant and placed exhibits before the
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No. 51253-0-II
jury that had not been admitted. Id. at 223. Defense counsel also violated the trial court’s
prohibition on speaking objections and two orders limiting admissible evidence. Id. at 224.
b. Implying that Rayloc Brakes had Caused Other Asbestos-Related Deaths
GPC argues that the Coogans’ attorney engaged in misconduct by asking a question
implying that workers at GPC’s Rayloc facilities had died from asbestos-related diseases.
Before trial, the parties stipulated that no party could present evidence about any asbestos
exposure or asbestos-related disease of workers at defendants’ plants or any claims by those
workers. During trial, the court rejected two juror questions about precautions against asbestos
exposure at Rayloc plants and lawsuits by Rayloc employees.
On redirect examination of GPC’s corporate representative Liane Brewer, the Coogans’
attorney asked “So you brought up employees, . . . trying to show us why you believe Genuine
Parts Company is a family. . . . Do you know how many other men that worked in their
headquarters where they were making Raylock [sic] brakes have died from asbestos-related
disease and haven’t been called?” 22 RP at 84. GPC objected. The trial court sustained the
objection, stating that this issue was not relevant.
GPC immediately moved for a mistrial on the basis of this question. The trial court
denied the motion. The following day, the trial court provided the jury with a curative
instruction:
Yesterday Plaintiffs’ counsel asked a question of Ms. Brewer regarding deaths at
the Rayloc facility. There will be no evidence of deaths at the Rayloc facility
related to asbestos exposure in this case. You may not consider such fact in your
deliberations of this case, and you may not discuss that in your deliberations of the
case.
23 RP at 55.
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No. 51253-0-II
GPC argues that the Coogans’ attorney’s question improperly implied that there had been
asbestos-related deaths at its Rayloc facility, that the court’s curative instruction was insufficient
to cure this improper implication, and that as a result GPC and NAPA were prejudiced.
Defense counsel’s question clearly was improper and violated the trial court’s pretrial
ruling, and the trial court’s instruction could have been worded better. However, we conclude
that it does not rise to the level of misconduct that requires a reversal of the liability verdict.
This was one isolated question in a complex trial. As the trial court noted:
I have to point out that in a three-month long trial, it is impossible not to be able to
go through a record and pull out this question and that one and string together an
argument that looks like there was some prejudice when the great mass of the
evidence is what the jury is supposed to consider and what I have to assume they
did consider.
RP (Dec. 1, 2017) at 56.
The standard of review is abuse of discretion. We hold that the trial court did not abuse
its discretion in denying GPC and NAPA’s CR 59(a)(2) motion for a new trial on this basis.
c. Implying that GPC Acted in Bad Faith in Selecting Corporate Witness
GPC argues that the Coogans’ attorney engaged in misconduct by asking questions
implying that GPC’s corporate representative, Byron Frantz, should not have been selected to
testify on GPC’s behalf because he was not prepared to answer questions. GPC claims that these
questions constituted misconduct because they left the jury with the impression that GPC and
NAPA were intentionally trying to hide the truth by selecting a corporate witness who knew too
little.
During Frantz’s testimony, the trial court rejected a juror question asking why Frantz had
not reviewed materials to better answer questions. The court rejected the question because it was
a comment on the evidence.
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No. 51253-0-II
On redirect examination of Brewer, the Coogans’ attorney asked, “Do you have any idea
why out of this entire [GPC] family of thousands of people Byron Frantz, a person who couldn’t
answer any questions, was the one that was brought[?]” 22 RP at 101. The trial court sustained
GPC’s objection and instructed the Coogans’ attorney not to “comment on the evidence.” 22 RP
at 101. The Coogans’ attorney then asked Brewer “Do you have any understanding why the
people that you know personally, people like Larry Prince [former CEO] were not present?” 22
RP at 102. The trial court again sustained GPC’s objection to this question, stating that the
answer was not relevant as “the company is entitled to select its corporate representative and
why they do that is up to them.” 22 RP at 102.
We need not decide whether these questions were improper because GPC cannot show
prejudice. Frantz’s lack of preparedness was apparent. At least one juror noticed and asked a
question (rejected by the trial court) why Frantz had not reviewed case materials to better answer
questions. And in ruling on the CR 59(a)(2) motion, the trial court stated, “I was unimpressed
with Mr. Frantz’s preparation to answer the questions that were put to him by Plaintiff. He,
frankly, sounded to me evasive and unknowing.” RP (Dec. 1, 2017) at 20. In addition, any
prejudice that may have resulted from these questions was cured by the trial court’s comment
that GPC was “entitled to select its corporate representative and why they do that is up to them.”
22 RP at 102.
Therefore, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying GPC and
NAPA’s CR 59(a)(2) motion for a new trial on this basis.
d. Eliciting Response from Jay Coogan about Defense Counsel
GPC argues that the Coogans’ attorney engaged in misconduct by asking a question that
elicited an outburst from Jay Coogan that defense counsel had accused him of killing his brother.
31
No. 51253-0-II
On redirect examination of Jay, the Coogans’ attorney asked him why he “needed to
pretty regularly blow off steam” while being deposed by GPC’s attorney and Jay replied “[s]ome
of the questions that were asked of me in the deposition were very offensive.” 16 RP at 159.
After GPC’s attorney made a relevance objection, which the court denied, Jay added “At one
point she [GPC’s counsel] accused me of killing my brother.” 16 RP at 160. The trial court
immediately struck this statement, telling the jury that even if true, Jay’s comment was irrelevant
and should be removed from their consideration of the issues in the case.
The question asked by the Coogans’ attorney appears to have been intended to rebut
GPC’s implication that Jay and the Coogans’ attorney were romantically involved and spending
a lot of time together discussing matters other than the case.3 The Coogans’ attorney did not ask
directly whether GPC had accused Jay of killing his brother by selling him auto parts containing
asbestos. Instead, he volunteered this information. In addition, Jay’s potential liability in the
case as the owner of the NAPA store where Doy bought his auto parts had been raised by both
parties at various points throughout trial, including by GPC’s attorney when she cross-examined
Jay.
Even if the Coogans’ attorney improperly elicited Jay’s “outburst,” any prejudice that
may have resulted was cured by the trial court’s immediate, sua sponte striking of the statement
and instruction to the jury that the remark was irrelevant and should be totally removed from
their consideration.
Therefore, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying GPC and
NAPA’s CR 59(a)(2) motion for a new trial on this basis.
3
Both the Coogans’ attorney and Jay denied any improper relationship, and there was no
evidence that supported GPC’s implication.
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No. 51253-0-II
3. Closing Argument Statements
GPC argues that the Coogans’ attorney made statements during closing argument that
constituted misconduct and required a new trial under CR 59(a)(2). GPC claims that the
Coogans’ attorney (1) made improper “golden rule” arguments, (2) urged the jury to punish the
wealthy defendants, and (3) expressed her personal opinions about the case.4
a. Failure to Object
GPC and NAPA did not object to any of the challenged statements the Coogans’ attorney
made during closing argument, even after the trial court invited parties at the end of closing to
place any objections on the record. The Coogans argue that this failure to object waived GPC’s
misconduct claim.
An objection is one of the requirements for a new trial based on counsel’s conduct.
Teter, 174 Wash. 2d at 226. The lack of a prompt objection is strong evidence that opposing
counsel did not perceive an error. Gilmore, 190 Wash. 2d at 504. “ ‘[A]bsent an objection to
counsel’s remarks, the issue of misconduct cannot be raised for the first time in a motion for a
new trial unless the misconduct is so flagrant that no instruction could have cured the prejudicial
effect.’ ” Collins, 155 Wash. App. at 94 (quoting Sommer v. Dep’t. of Soc. & Health Servs., 104
Wash. App. 160, 171, 15 P.3d 664 (2001).
This rule is consistent with the general rule that a party must object and request a curative
admonition or instruction in order to obtain a reversal based on an improper closing argument.
Joyce v. Dep’t. of Corr., 155 Wash. 2d 306, 326, 119 P.3d 825 (2005). The rule is meant to prevent
parties from gambling on a favorable verdict before claiming error. Teter, 174 Wash. 2d at 225.
4
Most of the challenged statements relate primarily to damages and not to liability. However,
we address them to the extent they may have affected the liability verdict.
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No. 51253-0-II
Because there was no objection to any of the challenged closing argument comments,
GPC and NAPA must establish that the Coogans’ attorney’s misconduct was “ ‘so flagrant that
no instruction could have cured the prejudicial effect.’ ” Collins, 155 Wash. App. at 94 (quoting
Sommer, 104 Wash. App. at 171).
b. “Golden Rule” Arguments
GPC argues that the Coogans’ attorney committed misconduct by making improper
“golden rule” arguments. The “golden rule” is a standard for individual conduct: do unto others
as you would have them do unto you. Adkins v. Alum. Co. of Am., 110 Wash. 2d 128, 139, 750
P.2d 1257, 756 P.2d 142 (1988). In general, counsel’s references or allusions to the “golden
rule” are improper, including “urging the jurors to place themselves in the position of one of the
parties to the litigation, or to grant a party the recovery they would wish themselves if they were
in the same position.” Id.
In closing, the Coogans’ attorney repeatedly used the words “you” and “your” when
describing Doy’s disease, suffering, and emotions. For example, the attorney stated, “When [the
disease] spread to his lungs, it means you’re gasping to breathe as your body rots. And you
know there’s nothing you can do.” 47 RP at 153 (emphasis added). GPC argues that the
Coogans’ counsel framed her argument in this way in order to inflame the jury’s passion and
prejudices by encouraging them to put themselves in Doy’s position as he suffered and died of
mesothelioma.
However, the Coogans’ attorney did not explicitly ask the jurors to put themselves in
Doy’s shoes when deciding the amount of damages. Instead, the argument appeared to be using
the second person “you” to describe Doy’s mesothelioma diagnosis and experience from his
34
No. 51253-0-II
prospective. The Coogans’ attorney’s remarks switched fluidly between the second person
“you” and references to Doy in the third person.
In denying GPC’s motion for a new trial on this basis, the trial court found that the
Coogans’ attorney’s use of the word “you” in this context was like using the word “one,” and
that it was a common “vernacular or . . . pronoun usage” without referring specifically to the
jurors the Coogans’ attorney was addressing. RP (Dec. 1, 2017) at 49-50. The court also noted
that this usage was “a fairly innocuous objection and easy to correct,” but that despite the fact
GPC and NAPA had not made the objection at trial, they were now bringing the objection
months later. RP (Dec. 1, 2017) at 50.
Nothing in the record suggests that any prejudice from the Coogans’ attorney’s argument
could not have been cured by an instruction. We hold that the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in denying GPC and NAPA’s motion for a new trial on the basis of these comments.
c. Urging the Jury to Punish a Wealthy Defendant
GPC argues that the Coogans’ attorney engaged in misconduct by making several
statements during closing argument that improperly encouraged the jury to base its verdict on the
wealthy defendants’ ability to pay and to punish them for Doy’s death.
During closing, the Coogan’s attorney stated to the jury that GPC was a “multinational
company” with “resources.” 47 RP (April 13, 2017) at 171. She also stated,
I promise you that, first, I’m not looking to change the world or how a multinational
business is doing business. I don’t think that can happen here. But I want something
that matters for what they took. And my suggestion to you is that at the least in a
case where you hear millions of dollars thrown around like nothing that lasted for
twelve weeks that the bottom of that range for 15 years of life lost should be 30
million dollars at the least.
47 RP at 190 (emphasis added).
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No. 51253-0-II
The Coogan’s attorney further told the jury that “I hope it is clear that the reason you are
taking this time is because this loss is serious because this wasn’t a bad day for a bad employee
of this company. This is a pattern of outrageous behavior for years. And something needs to be
done.” 47 RP at 193.
These comments could be interpreted as trying to convince the jury to punish the wealthy
defendants or to make sure they never harmed someone else in the same way Doy had been
harmed. However, taken in context, the Coogans’ attorney’s remarks argued that GPC and
NAPA had culpability for Doy’s long history of asbestos exposure, that his family should be
compensated accordingly, and that GPC and NAPA were undervaluing the extent of damages to
the Coogans. Such arguments are not improper.
In addition, GPC and NAPA did not object to these arguments at trial. On this basis, the
trial court denied GPC and NAPA’s post-trial motions, stating “I’m troubled by the fact that
there were no objections made during closing to the things that the Defense is now citing to as an
inflammatory factor. . . . you have to make an objection in a timely way or lose it.” RP (Dec. 1,
2017) at 57-58. GPC fails to demonstrate that any prejudicial effect from these comments could
not have been cured by an instruction.
Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying GPC and
NAPA’s post-trial motions based on these comments during closing argument.
d. Expressing Personal Opinions
GPC also argues that the Coogans’ attorney engaged in misconduct by improperly
expressing her personal opinions about the case during closing argument.
The Coogans’ attorney stated during closing, “You heard about other exposures. We
agree they happened. They were part of the problem. I think the Wagstaff one is made up. If
36
No. 51253-0-II
you disagree with me, okay. There can be more than one proximate cause.” 47 RP at 185-86
(emphasis added). She also said that “If there is emotion, it is because I believe the lack of
justice and respect is profound repeatedly [sic] for decades to families all over this country and to
one of their own.” 47 RP at 190 (emphasis added). She continued “I’m telling you what I
believe is right for what everybody should pay for what happened to [the Coogans]. And I
believe with no question that anything below [a $30 million verdict] [GPC and NAPA are] going
to consider a victory.” 47 RP at 191 (emphasis added).
The Coogans’ attorney improperly framed her arguments in terms of her personal beliefs.
However, her statement about Wagstaff could be interpreted as arguing an inference that Doy’s
position at Wagstaff may not have actually resulted in any exposure because there was little
evidence to describe his work there. Likewise, her arguments regarding “the lack of justice and
respect” for families like the Coogans and the appropriateness of a $30 million verdict could be
interpreted as arguing an inference that GPC and NAPA had acted wrongfully with respect to
Doy and that the resulting loss to his family was very great. 47 RP at 190. Taken in context, the
Coogans’ attorney’s remarks argued that GPC and NAPA had culpability for Doy’s long history
of asbestos exposure and that his family should be compensated accordingly, despite GPC and
NAPA’s efforts to minimalize the extent of the damages.
GPC and NAPA did not object to these arguments at trial. GPC fails to show that the
Coogans’ attorney’s statements in this regard could reasonably have affected the jury’s verdict.
Even if the Coogans’ attorney’s use of “I think” and “I believe” statements was improper, GPC
fails to demonstrate that any prejudicial effect of these comments could not have been cured by
an instruction.
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Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying GPC and
NAPA’s post-trial motions based on the comments of the Coogans’ attorney during closing
argument.5
E. EXCLUSION OF EVIDENCE REGARDING WAGSTAFF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
GPC argues that the trial court erred in excluding evidence that five employees who
worked at Wagstaff, Inc. during the same period as Doy contracted asbestos-related diseases
because this evidence tended to show that Doy’s exposure at Wagstaff was the cause of his
mesothelioma. We disagree.
1. Legal Principles
We review the trial court’s evidentiary rulings for an abuse of discretion. Mut. of
Enumclaw Ins. Co. v. Gregg Roofing, Inc., 178 Wash. App. 702, 728, 315 P.3d 1143 (2013). Only
if the trial court’s ruling on the admissibility of evidence was “manifestly unreasonable,
exercised on untenable grounds, or based on untenable reasons” will we overturn it. Id.
Under ER 402, only relevant evidence is admissible. Evidence is relevant if it has “any
tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the
action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.” ER 401. The
relevance threshold is low, and even minimally relevant evidence can be admissible. Kappelman
v. Lutz, 167 Wash. 2d 1, 9, 217 P.3d 286 (2009).
5
GPC also argues that the Coogans’ attorney has engaged in a pattern of misconduct in trials
across the country, citing cases from other jurisdictions in which she had a role. GPC requests
this court take judicial notice of those decisions. We decline to do so because the attorneys’
behavior in other trials is not material to whether she committed misconduct in this trial.
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No. 51253-0-II
2. Analysis
Doy worked at Wagstaff in 1968 and 1969. He was employed as a “specialist” and was a
member of the machinist union during his employment. However, there was no evidence of
what Doy’s actual job duties involved or what part of the facility he worked in, and the only
indication that Doy had worked at Wagstaff was in his Social Security records. There was no
evidence that Doy cut and handled Marinite boards – a known source of asbestos exposure – at
Wagstaff or worked in close proximity to anyone who did.
At trial, GPC and NAPA argued that the evidence was relevant to Doy’s case because all
five workers were employed at Wagstaff during the late 1960s or early 1970s, worked with
asbestos-containing boards, and later contracted asbestos-related diseases. GPC and NAPA also
argued that the amphibole asbestos that Wagstaff Marinite boards were made from was more
likely to cause mesothelioma than the chrysotile asbestos found in GPC products. GPC and
NAPA contended that because Wagstaff was a small workplace, it was more likely that a higher
percentage of its employees were exposed to asbestos.
The trial court excluded evidence of the Wagstaff workers’ compensation claims because
there was no evidence establishing that Doy’s exposure was similar to that of the claimants.
Beyond the fact that Doy appeared to have spent seven quarters at Wagstaff, there was no
evidence to determine the frequency, duration, or type of his potential exposure at Wagstaff.
There was no evidence to definitely establish that Doy’s job at Wagstaff involved or was related
to handling asbestos, or that he was “one of the three or four people that was actually working in
the room where the [Marinite] material was being manipulated.” 20 RP at 9. The trial court
excluded one of the claims because the claimant had started working at Wagstaff at least three
years after Doy had left and contained no information about Doy’s job at Wagstaff.
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No. 51253-0-II
We agree with the trial court’s reasoning. Here, the evidence of other workers’ asbestos
exposure did nothing to establish that Doy himself had been exposed to asbestos at Wagstaff in
the same way as the others. The only information tying Doy to Wagstaff in any way was his
Social Security records, which did not provide any description of his work at Wagstaff. And
there was no evidence regarding what Doy did at Wagstaff.
Further, the trial court’s ruling did not result in the exclusion of all evidence related to
Doy’s potential exposure at Wagstaff. The trial court allowed evidence that Doy may have been
exposed to drifting asbestos fibers at Wagstaff as a result of the concentration of molten metal
Marinite being worked on at the facility. The Coogans’ occupational exposure expert Dr.
Brodkin testified that asbestos fibers can float in the air and that people working with and around
asbestos can kick up the dust and be re-exposed.
The trial court excluded only the evidence related to the workers’ compensation claims of
the workers with asbestos-related diseases. GPC and NAPA’s offer of proof included workers’
compensation claim forms for each of the five claims. Although GPC argues that the trial
court’s ruling prevented them from introducing evidence critical to its defense, the ruling merely
prohibited the introduction of third party claims.
Because GPC and NAPA were permitted to introduce other relevant evidence of the
potential for amosite asbestos fiber drift throughout the Wagstaff facility, the evidence related to
specific workers’ compensation claims would have been cumulative. “Exclusion of cumulative
evidence is not reversible error.” Gregg Roofing, 178 Wash. App. at 731.
Given the lack of any evidence about what work Doy performed at Wagstaff and what
exposure to asbestos (if any) he had there, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
in excluding the Wagstaff evidence.
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No. 51253-0-II
F. LIABILITY OF NAPA
NAPA argues the trial court erred in denying its CR 50(a) motion because the Coogans
did not present sufficient evidence that NAPA was a manufacturer or seller of an asbestos-
containing product under the common law or the Washington Products Liability Act (WPLA),
chapter 7.72 RCW.6 We disagree.
1. Legal Principles
Under CR 50(a)(1), a court may grant judgment as a matter of law on an issue if “there is
no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find [for the adverse party] . . .
with respect to that issue.” Granting a CR 50 motion “is appropriate only when no competent
and substantial evidence exists to support a verdict.” Faust v. Albertson, 167 Wash. 2d 531, 537,
222 P.3d 1208 (2009). We review de novo the trial court’s denial of a CR 50(a) motion for
judgment as a matter of law. Washburn v. City of Federal Way, 178 Wash. 2d 732, 752-53, 310
P.3d 1275 (2013).7
On review, we admit the truth of the nonmoving party’s evidence and all reasonable
inferences that can be drawn from that evidence. Gregg Roofing, 178 Wash. App. at 725. A
motion for judgment as a matter of law can be granted if we determine that “there [is] no
substantial evidence or reasonable inference to sustain a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Id.
6
NAPA also appears to suggest that the trial court erred in denying its pretrial motion for
summary judgment on this issue. But a party cannot appeal a denial of summary judgment
following a trial if the denial was based on a determination that there were disputed material
facts that must be resolved by a trier of fact. Johnson v. Rothstein, 52 Wash. App. 303, 304, 759
P.2d 471 (1988).
7
The Coogans appear to argue that NAPA’s CR 50(a) motion is not reviewable because NAPA
did not renew its motion for judgment as a matter of law after trial or under CR 50(b), nor did it
seek a new trial on that basis. But in Washburn v. City of Federal Way, the Supreme Court held
that the appellant did not waive review of the denial of its CR 50(a) motion by failing to renew it
with a CR 50(b) motion after the jury verdict. 178 Wash. 2d at 762.
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No. 51253-0-II
Substantial evidence is evidence sufficient to persuade a fair-minded, rational person of the truth
of the asserted premise. Wilcox v. Basehore, 187 Wash. 2d 772, 782, 389 P.3d 531 (2017).
2. Applicability of Common Law vs. WPLA
NAPA argues that the trial court erred by allowing the jury to decide whether the
common law or the WPLA should apply to the Coogans’ claims. We decline to address this
issue.
The WPLA governs all product liability claims arising on or after July 26, 1981. RCW
4.22.920(1). But the common law applies if substantially all of the plaintiff’s exposure to injury-
producing products occurred before the WPLA’s effective date. Macias v. Saberhagen
Holdings, Inc., 175 Wash. 2d 402, 408, 282 P.3d 1069 (2012).
NAPA argues that the trial court erred in giving an instruction that allowed the jury to
determine whether substantially all of Doy’s exposure to asbestos occurred before July 26, 1981.
However, a CR 50(a) motion is made before the case is submitted to the jury. CR 50(a)(2).
Therefore, the trial court’s ruling on NAPA’s CR 50(a) motion occurred before the court gave
the jury instructions.
In any event, NAPA did not object to giving this instruction. After proposing several
minor changes in wording, NAPA agreed to the instruction. In order to preserve a challenge to a
jury instruction for review, a party must make a proper objection. Millies v. LandAmerica
Transnation, 185 Wash. 2d 302, 313, 372 P.3d 111 (2016). CR 51(f) requires a party objecting to a
jury instruction to “state distinctly the matter to which counsel objects and the grounds of
counsel’s objection.” Therefore, we hold that NAPA failed to preserve its challenge to the
court’s instruction, and we decline to consider this issue.
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No. 51253-0-II
Further, NAPA argues that it was not a product manufacturer or seller and was entitled to
judgment under CR 50(a) under either the common law or the WPLA. Therefore, as NAPA
concedes, the applicability of the WPLA ultimately makes no difference.
3. NAPA as Product Seller or Manufacturer
NAPA argues that that the trial court erred in denying its CR 50(a) motion because the
Coogans did not provide substantial evidence that NAPA was a product seller or manufacturer as
defined in the common law or the WPLA. The Coogans contend that there was substantial
evidence that NAPA manufactured, distributed, and sold the products Doy used. We agree with
the Coogans.
a. Legal Principles
In Ulmer v. Ford Motor Co., the Supreme Court adopted the rule of strict liability for
product manufacturers stated in § 402A of the Restatement (Second) of Torts (Am. Law Inst.
1965). 75 Wash. 2d 522, 530-32, 452 P.2d 729 (1969). Section 402A imposes strict liability on a
person selling a defective product. Strict liability applies if “the seller is engaged in the business
of selling such a product.” Id. § 402A(1)(a). Comment f states that this rule applies to products
manufacturers and to “any wholesale or retail dealer or distributor.” Id. § 402A cmt. f.
The court in Seattle-First National Bank v. Tabert extended the strict liability rule to
product sellers and distributors, including importers. 86 Wash. 2d 145, 148-49, 542 P.2d 774
(1975). The court noted that § 402A extended liability to “those in the chain of distribution.” Id.
at 148. Since Tabert, the court repeatedly has confirmed that as a general rule, strict products
liability applies to all persons in the chain of distribution of a product. Macias, 175 Wash. 2d at
410-11; Braaten v. Saberhagen Holdings, 165 Wash. 2d 373, 384, 198 P.3d 493 (2008); Zamora v.
Mobil Oil Corp., 104 Wash. 2d 199, 206, 704 P.2d 584 (1985). Under this law, the trial court
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No. 51253-0-II
instructed the jury that liability could be imposed on NAPA if it was a product seller or
manufacturer.
However, the case law does not provide specific definitions for what constitutes a
manufacturer, seller, or distributor of a product or what encompasses the “chain of distribution.”
b. Substantial Evidence Regarding NAPA Liability
The question presented on NAPA’s CR 50(a) motion was whether the evidence presented
at trial would allow a jury to find that NAPA was a product manufacturer, seller, or distributor of
asbestos-containing products to which Doy was exposed.
NAPA presented evidence that it did not manufacture or sell the asbestos-containing
products that Doy used. Frantz, the corporate representative for GPC, testified that NAPA is a
“trade organization” that “does not make or sell anything.” 17 RP at 147-48. And Jay Coogan
testified that the NAPA stores in Kettle Falls and Colville were independently owned. There was
no direct evidence to contradict NAPA’s claim that it did not manufacture or sell any products.
In addition, NAPA presented evidence that NAPA did not distribute the asbestos-
containing products that Doy used. NAPA presented evidence that GPC owned the distribution
center in Spokane, which supplied parts to the NAPA stores in Kettle Falls and Colville.
According to Frantz, GPC acquired ownership of the distribution center in the early to mid-
1960s. GPC’s ownership coincides with Doy’s first major period of exposure beginning in 1963.
There was no direct evidence to contradict NAPA’s claim that it did not distribute any products.
However, the NAPA name appeared on the labels of Rayloc brakes and clutches that Doy
used. NAPA also placed an “Assurance of Quality” stamp on the label of American Brakeblok
brake linings, which Doy used. And NAPA’s promotional materials created the appearance that
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No. 51253-0-II
NAPA was the manufacturer or retailer of Rayloc and American Brakeblok brakes. Finally, the
NAPA brand was located on a logo touting Rayloc as the world’s largest remanufacturer.
In addition, the facility in Spokane that distributed Rayloc brakes and clutches was
referred to as a NAPA Distribution Center. And the stores in Kettle Falls and Colville where
Doy purchased asbestos-containing products were known as NAPA stores and they displayed
large NAPA signs on their storefronts.
The jury reasonably could infer from NAPA’s branding of products, stores, and the
Spokane distribution center that NAPA was a product manufacturer, seller, or distributor even in
the face of NAPA’s self-serving evidence that NAPA actually did not manufacture, sell, or
distribute any product. The jury was free to weigh and reject that evidence.
Viewing the facts and the reasonable inferences from the facts in the Coogans’ favor, we
conclude that there was substantial evidence to establish that NAPA actually manufactured,
distributed, or sold any products that exposed Doy to asbestos. Accordingly, we hold that the
trial court did not err in denying NAPA’s CR 50(a) motion for judgment as a matter of law.
CONCLUSION
We reverse the jury’s verdict on damages, but we affirm the jury’s verdict on liability.
We remand for a new trial on the damages issues only.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2.06.040,
it is so ordered.
MAXA, C.J.
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No. 51253-0-II
LEE, J. (dissenting in part) — I agree with the majority opinion in all respects except for
the issue of attorney misconduct. Because of the attorney misconduct committed by the Coogans’
attorney, I would reverse the liability verdict. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent in part.
CR 59(a)(2) allows for a new trial if the misconduct of the prevailing party substantially
affects the substantial rights of the other party. We review a trial court’s order denying a motion
for a new trial under CR 59(a)(2) for an abuse of discretion. Aluminum Co. of Am. v. Aetna Cas.
& Sur. Co., 140 Wash. 2d 517, 537, 998 P.2d 856 (2000). Review of the trial court’s order is
generally limited to determining whether the trial court’s reasons adequately support its order.
Clark v. Teng, 195 Wash. App. 482, 492, 380 P.3d 73 (2016), review denied, 187 Wash. 2d 1016 (2017).
“A trial court abuses its discretion only if its decision is manifestly unreasonable or based on
untenable grounds or reasons.” Id. A trial court’s order that relies on unsupported facts or “‘a
clearly erroneous assessment of the evidence’ necessarily abuses its discretion.” Id. (quoting
Demelash v. Ross Stores, Inc., 105 Wash. App. 508, 530, 20 P.3d 447, review denied, 145 Wash. 2d
1004 (2001)).
A party seeking a new trial based on counsel’s conduct must establish that (1) the conduct
was misconduct, (2) the misconduct was prejudicial, (3) the misconduct was objected to at trial,
and (4) the prejudice was not cured by the trial court’s instructions. Teter v. Deck, 174 Wash. 2d 207,
226, 274 P.3d 336 (2012). A new trial is appropriate when “‘such a feeling of prejudice [has] been
engendered or located in the minds of the jury as to prevent a litigant from having a fair trial[.]’”
Aluminum Co. of Am., 140 Wash. 2d at 537 (quoting Moore v. Smith, 89 Wash. 2d 932, 942, 578 P.2d
26 (1978)).
Generally, the trial court is in the best position to determine prejudice. Miller v. Kenny,
180 Wash. App. 772, 815, 325 P.3d 278 (2014). Although we grant great deference to the trial
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No. 51253-0-II
court’s findings regarding prejudice, that deference is not absolute. Clark, 195 Wash. App. at 492,
497. If the trial court’s finding regarding prejudice is contrary to, or unsupported by the record,
the finding is not entitled to deference. Id. at 492.
Here, Genuine Parts Company (GPC) raises three instances of misconduct during trial that
support a new trial: (1) questioning regarding other asbestos-related deaths caused by Rayloc
brakes, (2) implying GPC acted in bad faith when selecting its corporate witness, and (3) eliciting
an outburst from Jay Coogan.8 I would hold that these instances of misconduct were prejudicial,
and the trial court abused its discretion by denying the motion for a new trial.
A. QUESTIONS REGARDING OTHER ASBESTOS-RELATED WORKER DEATHS
Pretrial, the trial court ordered that no party could present evidence about any asbestos-
related exposure by workers at defendants’ plants or any claims by those workers. 5 RP (Jan. 25,
2017) 41-42. During trial, the Coogans’ attorney asked GPC’s corporate representative, “Do you
know how many other men that worked in their headquarters where they were making Raylock
(sic) brakes have died from asbestos-related disease and haven’t been called?” 22 Verbatim Report
of Proceedings (VRP) (Feb. 27, 2017) 84. I agree with the majority’s conclusion that this question
was clearly improper and violated the trial court’s pretrial ruling. Majority at 28. However, I
disagree with the majority’s conclusion that there was insufficient prejudice to merit reversal.
The majority appears to have determined that the challenged question was not prejudicial
simply because it was only one question during three-month long trial. Majority at 28. This
conclusion is contrary to the record.
8
I agree with the majority that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying GPC and
National Automotive Parts Association’s (NAPA) CR 59(a)(2) motion based on the comments
made by Coogans’ attorney during closing argument because GPC and NAPA did not object to
those comments during trial.
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No. 51253-0-II
Although this was only one question, the question, in violation of the trial court’s pretrial
order, clearly implied that GPC was aware of and responsible for other asbestos-related worker
deaths at its Rayloc brakes facility, which is extremely prejudicial to GPC. And this implication
was compounded by the trial court’s instruction given to the jury the next day, which stated,
Yesterday Plaintiffs’ counsel asked a question of Ms. Brewer regarding deaths at
the Rayloc facility. There will be no evidence of deaths at the Rayloc facility related
to asbestos exposure in this case. You may not consider such fact in your
deliberations of this case, and you may not discuss that in your deliberations of the
case.
23 VRP (Feb. 28, 2017) at 55 (emphasis added). The trial court’s instruction injected facts not in
evidence by implying and confirming that there is evidence of other asbestos-related deaths. Thus,
the jury heard the implication in counsel’s question that there were other asbestos-related deaths
at the Rayloc brakes facility, and then the trial court reminded the jury of the existence of other
asbestos-related deaths the next day. Having the existence of such evidence confirmed by the trial
court, the jury was then told not to consider it.
Because of the significance of evidence of other asbestos-related deaths, neither the length
or complexity of the trial is sufficient reason to justify a finding that the Coogans’ attorney’s
question in direct violation of the trial court’s pretrial order, compounded by the trial court’s
instruction confirming the existence of such evidence, was not prejudicial. Nor can it be said that
the trial court’s limiting instruction, which confirmed the existence of facts not in evidence and
accomplished for the Coogans what they intended with the objectionable question, cured any
prejudice. Furthermore, the excessive amount of the jury’s verdict, which the majority agrees
shocks the conscience and is “flagrantly outrageous and extravagant,” shows that the jury was
influenced, at least to some extent, by the prejudice caused by the Coogans’ attorney’s improper
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No. 51253-0-II
question and the trial court’s limiting instruction. Majority at 24, quoting Bingaman v. Grays
Harbor Cmty. Hosp., 103 Wash. 2d 831, 835, 699 P.2d 1230 (1985).
Because of the significance of the implication of other asbestos-related worker deaths, I
would reverse the trial court’s order denying the CR 59(a)(2) motion for a new trial on this basis
alone.
Also, the trial court simply denied the motion for a new trial based on conduct during the
trial because the instances of alleged misconduct were isolated among a very long trial containing
a great deal of properly admitted evidence. It is an abuse of discretion for the trial court to have
summarily dismissed this allegation of misconduct without considering whether the conduct was
misconduct that was prejudicial and objected to at trial, and whether the prejudice was cured by
the trial court’s instructions. Teter, 174 Wash. 2d at 226.
B. IMPLYING BAD FAITH IN SELECTION OF CORPORATE WITNESS
GPC also argues that the Coogans’ attorney committed misconduct by asking questions
that implied GPC selected Byron Frantz as corporate representative in bad faith in order to hide
information. Without deciding whether the Coogans’ attorney’s questions were improper, the
majority decides this issue based on GPC’s failure to show prejudice. Majority at 29. I disagree.
The Coogans’ attorney’s questions were improper, prejudicial, and not cured by the trial court’s
instructions to the jury.
The Coogans’ attorney’s questions regarding why Frantz was selected and why certain
people were not present were improper. As the majority recognizes, an attorney has a duty to keep
inadmissible evidence from the jury. Majority at 26; ER 103(c). And as the trial court recognized,
the reasons why a corporate representative is selected is irrelevant and inadmissible, and “the
company is entitled to select its corporate representative.” 22 VRP (Feb. 27, 2017) at 102. Despite
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No. 51253-0-II
having an objection to her improper question sustained, the Coogans’ attorney again asked the
improper question.
The majority asserts that there is no prejudice because it was apparent that Frantz was
unprepared as a witness. Majority at 29. However, there is a significant difference between a
witness being unprepared and implying that a witness was specifically chosen in order to
deliberately keep information from the jury. Here, the Coogans’ attorney’s conduct goes beyond
pointing out the witness was unprepared and, instead, ascribes a bad faith motive on behalf of
GPC. Furthermore, the Coogans’ attorney also implied that other people were deliberately kept
from the jury because they had more information. I would hold that the Coogans’ attorney’s
conduct was prejudicial and prevented GPC from getting a fair trial.
And the prejudice from the Coogans’ attorney’s conduct was not cured by the trial court’s
comment sustaining GPC’s objection. Here, the trial court commented to the jury that “the
company is entitled to select its corporate representative and why they do that is up to them.” 22
VRP (Feb. 27, 2017) at 102. This comment highlighted and reinforced the implication intended
by the Coogans’ attorney relating to the reasons why the corporate representative was selected.
Moreover, the trial court did not even tell the jury that it could not consider the reasons; it simply
reinforced the prejudicial effect of the objectionable questions.
Also, the majority’s assertion that the trial court ruled that these questions were not
prejudicial because it was apparent that Frantz was unprepared as a witness is not supported by the
record. Majority at 29. The trial court’s actual ruling stated:
So having read all of the briefing on this point—and I read a number of the
cases over again—it strikes me that understanding that GPC and NAPA are arguing
that the conduct of the Plaintiffs during the course of the trial and during closing
was designed to inflame, I have to point out that in a three-month long trial, it is
impossible not to be able to go through a record and pull out this question and that
one and string together an argument that looks like there was some prejudice when
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No. 51253-0-II
the great mass of the evidence is what the jury is supposed to consider and what I
have to assume they did consider.
VRP (Dec. 1, 2017) at 56. This was the entirety of the trial court’s ruling regarding the alleged
misconduct during trial. The trial court did not make any reasoned evaluation of whether the
Coogans’ attorney’s questions were misconduct, caused prejudice, or were cured by any trial court
instruction. It is an abuse of discretion for the trial court to summarily dismiss this allegation of
misconduct without considering whether the conduct was misconduct that was prejudicial and
objected to at trial and whether the prejudice was cured by the trial court’s instructions. Teter, 174
Wash. 2d at 226.
C. ELICITING JAY COOGAN’S OUTBURST
Finally, GPC argues that the Coogans’ attorney deliberately elicited an outburst from Jay
Coogan, stating that defense counsel accused Jay of killing his brother. I disagree with the
majority’s analysis because none of it is based on the trial court’s reasons for denying the motion
for a new trial.
Here, again, the trial court simply denied the motion for a new trial based on conduct during
the trial because, according to the trial court, the instances of alleged misconduct were isolated
among a very long trial containing a great deal of properly admitted evidence. It is an abuse of
discretion for the trial court to have summarily dismissed this allegation of misconduct without
considering (1) whether, and to what extent, the Coogan’s attorney’s elicited the outburst, (2) what
specific prejudice was caused by the outburst, and whether the prejudice was cured. Teter, 174
Wash. 2d at 226.
Also, the challenge here goes to the statement made by Jay that “[a]t one point she [GPC’s
attorney] accused me of killing my brother.” 16 VRP (Feb. 14, 2017) at 160. Although the trial
court immediately struck the statement, the trial court told the jury that “even if true, [that] is
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irrelevant . . . [s]o I want you to remove that from consideration.” 16 VRP (Feb. 14, 2017) at 160
(emphasis added). Rather than curing any prejudice, the trial court’s comment on the evidence
validated the irrelevant evidence.
D. CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF MISCONDUCT
GPC argues that each instance of misconduct was sufficient to warrant a new trial, but there
was “unquestionably prejudice if one considers the cumulative effect of all the misconduct.” Br.
of Appellant GPC at 44. I agree.
Even if each instance of misconduct above would not merit reversal on its own, the
cumulative effect of all the instances of misconduct had the effect of engendering “‘such a feeling
of prejudice . . . in the minds of the jury as to prevent a litigant from having a fair trial[.]’”
Aluminum Co. of Am., 140 Wash. 2d at 537 (quoting Moore, 89 Wash. 2d at 942). As discussed above,
the trial court’s ruling on the motion for a new trial did not address, either individually or
cumulatively, whether the challenged conduct was misconduct, prejudicial, objected to at trial, or
cured by a trial court instruction. Rather, the trial court’s ruling appears to have been based simply
on “the great mass of the evidence.” VRP (Dec. 1, 2017) at 56. This was an abuse of discretion.
CONCLUSION
I disagree with the majority’s determination that the trial court did not abuse its discretion
by denying the motion for a new trial based on the Coogans’ attorney’s conduct during trial.
Therefore, I would reverse and remand for a new trial. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent from
the majority’s opinion affirming the trial court’s order denying GPC’s CR 59(a)(2) motion for a
new trial.
Lee, J.
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MELNICK, J. (dissent in part) — I respectfully dissent from the majority’s opinion that the
award of Jerry “Doy” Coogan’s noneconomic damages both shocks the conscience of the court
and is excessive. I otherwise concur in the majority opinion.
The majority correctly states the law, and I need not repeat it; however, the majority does
not give deference to the jury that the parties selected to hear this case. It does not take into
consideration that the jury is the sole judge of the credibility of witnesses and of the weight to be
given to the witnesses’ testimony when deciding damages. Agranoff v. Morton, 54 Wash. 2d 341,
347, 340 P.2d 811, 815 (1959). The court so instructed in this case.
The majority also does not take into account that the defendants in this case never told the
jury what they thought would be a reasonable amount of damages. Rather, the defendants solely
argued about liability, and that they had none. They staked their entire case on an all or nothing
strategy.
I must emphasize that the majority does not conclude that the jury verdict “is outside the
range of substantial evidence in the record” or “appears to have been arrived at as the result of
passion and prejudice.” Bingaman v. Grays Harbor Cmty. Hosp., 103 Wash. 2d 831, 835, 699 P.2d
1230 (1985). Instead the majority bases its ruling solely on its subjective belief, after reading a
cold record, that the verdict “shocks the conscience of the court.”
The long standing rules that we utilize in this case exist because the jury has heard the
testimony, evaluated the witnesses, and decided what facts have been proved. We should not
lightly substitute our judgement for that of the jury’s.
Here, the jury best understood and decided the suffering Doy experienced. Based on the
evidence it saw and heard, the jury understood that this suffering did not occur over a six month
period. The six month period is merely the time from when Doy initially saw a doctor until the
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time Doy passed away. Doy obviously suffered before that time or he would not have seen a
doctor for his pre-existing symptoms.
Doy died a horrible death as a result of the asbestos poisoning. He suffered both from
tumors that caused bowel obstruction and fluid buildup, as well as malnutrition and excessive fluid
around his lungs. Doy experienced breathlessness caused by the fluid buildup, pain-related
insomnia, constipation, dehydration, and kidney failure. He had difficulty drinking liquids. He
suffered from severe muscle wasting and malnutrition.
The jury did its job and placed a monetary value on the pain, suffering, anxiety, emotional
distress, humiliation, and fear that Doy experienced as a result of these illnesses that the majority
and I have merely summarized, but that the jury heard in greater detail. We are not permitted to
substitute our judgments for that of the jury’s. The jury was instructed that “[t]he law has not
furnished us with any fixed standards by which to measure noneconomic (pain and suffering)
damages. With reference to these matters you must be governed by your own judgment, by the
evidence in this case, and by these instructions.” Clerk’s Papers at 14988 (Instr. 34).
The verdict for these noneconomic damages does not shock my conscience. No amount of
money could ever compensate Doy for the suffering he endured as a result of peritoneal
mesothelioma.
Just as the court instructed the jury that there are not any fixed standards by which to
measure noneconomic damages, neither are the appellate courts given any fixed standards. I
respectfully dissent because the verdict does not shock my conscience and is not excessive.
Melnick, J.
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