SCOLA v. AC & S, INC.


540 Pa. 353 (1995)

657 A.2d 1234

Frank and Doris SCOLA, Appellants, v. AC & S, INC., Anchor Packing Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Carey-Canada, Inc., Celotex Corporation, Certainteed Corporation, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Fibreboard Corporation, GAF Corporation, Garlock, Inc., Keene Corporation, National Gypsum Company, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Owens-Illinois, Inc., Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, H.K. Porter Company, Inc., T & N Plc. f/k/a Turner & Newall, Ltd., Raymark Industries, Inc., Rock Wool Manufacturing Company, Southern Textile Company, U.S. Mineral Products, John Crane Houdaille, Inc., a/k/a Crane Packing Company, Amchem Products, Inc., and Foster Wheeler Corporation, Appellees. Alan SHANK, Jr., Appellant, v. AC & S, INC., Anchor Packing Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Carey-Canada, Inc., Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Owens-Illinois, Inc., Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, H.K. Porter Company, Inc., T & N Plc. f/k/a Turner & Newall, Ltd., Rock Wool Manufacturing Company, Celotex Corporation, Certainteed Corporation, Combustion Engineering, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Fibreboard Corporation, GAF Corporation, Garlock, Inc., Keene Corporation, National Gypsum Company, Southern Textile Company, U.S. Mineral Products, John Crane Houdaille, Inc., a/k/a Crane Packing Company, Amchem Products, Inc., and Foster Wheeler Corporation, Appellees. Dennis and Marie O'DONNELL, Appellants, v. AC & S, INC., Anchor Packing Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Carey-Canada, Inc., Celotex Corporation, Certainteed Corporation, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Fibreboard Corporation, GAF Corporation, Garlock, Inc., Keene Corporation, National Gypsum Company, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Owens-Illinois, Inc., Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, H.K. Porter Company, Inc., T & N Plc. f/k/a Turner & Newall, Ltd., Raymark Industries, Inc., Rock Wool Manufacturing Company, Southern Textile Company, U.S. Mineral Products, John Crane Houdaille, Inc., a/k/a Crane Packing Company, Amchem Products, Inc., and Foster Wheeler Corporation, Appellees. John R. and Grace KENNEDY, Appellants, v. AC & S, INC., Anchor Packing Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Carey-Canada, Inc., Celotex Corporation, Certainteed Corporation, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Fibreboard Corporation, GAF Corporation, Garlock, Inc., Keene Corporation, National Gypsum Company, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Owens-Illinois, Inc., Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, H.K. Porter Company, Inc., T & N Plc. f/k/a Turner & Newall, Ltd., Raymark Industries, Inc., Rock Wool Manufacturing Company, Southern Textile Company, U.S. Mineral Products, John Crane Houdaille, Inc., a/k/a Crane Packing Company, Amchem Products, Inc., and Foster Wheeler Corporation, Appellees. Walter and Thelma E. CALDWELL, Appellants, v. PACOR, INC., Eagle-Picher Industries, GAF Corporation, Keene Corporation, Raymark Industries, Inc., Celotex Corporation, Southern Textile Company, J.P. Stevens Co., Garlock, Inc., Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Fibreboard Corporation and Forty-Eight Insulation, Inc., Appellees. Andrew J. HOLLOWAY, Appellant, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Nosroc Corporation, C.E. Refractories, Flintkote Company, U.S. Gypsum Company, and National Gypsum Company, Appellees. George and Josephine KEITER, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Nosroc Corporation, C.E. Refractories, Flintkote, U.S. Gypsum Company, National Gypsum Company, Turner & Newall, Ltd., Bendix Brake Company, and Maremont Corporation, Appellees. Joseph and Mildred KITE, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Pacor, Inc., Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., J.P. Stevens, Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Nicolet, Inc., Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Nosroc Corporation, C.E. Refractories, Combustion Engineering, Flintkote Company, Anchor Packing Company, Crane Packing, Hopeman Brothers, Inc., and Uniroyal, Inc., Appellees. Alexander A. ZUKOWSKI, Appellant, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Nicolet, Inc., Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Pacor, Inc., and Brand Insulation, Appellees. Paul and Hedwig MINISZAK, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Nicolet, Inc., Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Nosroc Corporation, C.E. Refractories, Flintkote Company, Anchor Packing Company, Crane Packing, and DAR Industrial Products, Appellees. Thomas W. IMBURGIA, Appellant, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., J.P. Stevens Company, Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Nicolet, Inc., Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Pacor, Inc., Bendix Brake Company, C.E. Refractories, Combustion Engineering, and Uniroyal, Inc., Appellees. Earl J. MITNAUL, Appellant, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., C.E. Refractories, U.S. Gypsum Company, National Gypsum Company, and Uniroyal, Inc., Appellees. Jonathan and Louise DUKES, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Owens-Illinois, Inc., Celotex Corporation, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Nicolet, Inc., Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Southern Textile Corporation, H.K. Porter Co., Inc., U.S. Gypsum Company, Pacor, Inc., Porter Hayden Company, Nosroc Corporation, Pfizer Inc., Foseco, Inc., Dresser Industries, Inc., Quigley Company, Inc., J.P. Stevens, Inc., Globe Refractories, Inc., C.E. Refractories, C.E. Minerals, Inc., A.P. Green Refractories Company, Combustion Engineering, Inc., and Turner & Newall, Ltd., Appellees. James and Evelyn ENGLERT, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, U.S. Gypsum Company, National Gypsum Company, A.P. Green Refractories Company, and Carey Canadian Mines, Appellees. Nettie BELL, Administratrix of the Estate of Bennie Bell and in her own right, Appellant, v. BELL ASBESTOS MINES, LTD., Celotex Corporation, Brinco Mining, Ltd., Lac D'Amiante Du Quebec, Turner & Newall, Ltd., Carey Canadian Mines, Asbestos Corporation, Ltd., Nicolet, Inc., and George A. Rowley & Co., Inc., Appellees. William J. and Mary McDEVITT, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Pacor, Inc., Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Nicolet, Inc., Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Nosroc Corporation, C.E. Refractories, Flintkote Company, Anchor Packing Company, Crane Packing, Hopeman Brothers, Inc., and Uniroyal, Inc., Appellees. Joseph L., Jr., and Lucy SPINA, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Nicolet, Inc., Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, Nosroc Corporation, U.S. Gypsum Company, National Gypsum Company, Hopeman Brothers, Inc., and Turner & Newall, Ltd., Appellees. Alphonso GRASTY, Appellant, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Nicolet, Inc., Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Anchor Packing, Crane Packing, U.S. Gypsum Company, National Gypsum Company, Turner & Newall, Ltd., Delaware Insulation Co., Brand Insulations, Combustion Engineering, and Foster Wheeler Corporation, Appellees. Herman MEARS, Appellant, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Nicolet, Inc., Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Nosroc Corporation, C.E. Refractories, Flintkote Company, Anchor Packing, Crane Packing, Combustion Engineering, Appellees. George W. CUSTIS, Appellant, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Pacor, Inc., Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., J.P. Stevens Company, Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Nicolet, Inc., Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Nosroc Corporation, C.E. Refractories, Combustion Engineering, Flintkote Co., Anchor Packing, Crane Packing, Hopeman Brothers, Inc., and Uniroyal, Inc., Appellees. Henry and Mary KRUG, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Pacor, Inc., Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Nicolet, Inc., Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Nosroc Corporation, C.E. Refractories, Flintkote Co., Anchor Packing Company, Crane Packing, Griffin Wheel Co., and Combustion Engineering Company, Appellees. Edith DINOIA, Executrix of the Estate of Roxey Matteo, Appellant, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Nicolet, Inc., Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Pacor, Inc., U.S. Gypsum Company, and National Gypsum Company, Appellees. Albert M. and Evelyn CAPALDI, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Nicolet, Inc., Keene Corporation, Nicolet, Inc., Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Pacor, Inc., U.S. Gypsum Company, National Gypsum Company, Uniroyal, Inc., and Hopeman Brothers, Inc., Appellees. William P. and Doris ELBERSON, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Pacor, Inc., U.S. Gypsum Company, National Gypsum Company, and Uniroyal, Inc., Appellees. Joseph B. and Helen R. McGARVEY, Appellants, v. RAYMARK INDUSTRIES, INC., H.K. Porter Company, Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc., Garlock, Inc., Southern Textile Company, Armstrong World Industries, Inc., Keene Corporation, Nicolet, Inc., Owens-Illinois Glass Company, Celotex Corporation, GAF Corporation, Fibreboard Corporation, Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation, Pittsburgh Corning Corporation, AC & S, Inc., Pacor, Inc., U.S. Gypsum Company, National Gypsum Company, Turner & Newall, Ltd., Flexitallic Gasket Company, Flintkote Company, and Amchem Products, Inc., Appellees.

Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Decided May 2, 1995.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Gregory N. Bunitsky, James T. Fitzgerald, Philadelphia, for appellants.

Patricia M. Nigro, Philadelphia, for Owens-Illinois, Inc.

Arthur Makadon, Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll, Philadelphia, for Raymark Industries, Inc.

Richard A. Curtis, White and Williams, Philadelphia, for H.K. Porter Co., Southern Textile Co., Porter Hayden Co., George A. Rowley & Co., Inc.

G. Daniel Bruch, Swartz, Campbell & Detweiler, Philadelphia, for Pacor, Inc. and Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc.

Barbara Pennell, Thompson & Pennell, Philadelphia, for J.P. Stevens Co.

Fredric L. Goldfein, Goldfein & Joseph, Philadelphia, for Garlock, Inc., Bell Asbestos Mines, Ltd., Asbestos Corp., Ltd.

Edward Wilbraham, Wilbraham, Lawler & Buba, Philadelphia, for Armstrong World Industries, Inc., NOSROC Corp., GAF Corp., Turner & Newall, Ltd., Nat. Gypsum Co., U.S. Gypsum Co., Maremont Corp., A.P. Green Refractories Co., Pfizer, Inc., Quigley Co., Flexitallic Gasket Co.

Walter Meeley, Bennett, Bricklin & Saltzburg, Philadelphia, for Nicolet, Inc.

Nathan A. Schachtman, Patricia Nigro, McCarter & English, Cherry Hill, NJ, for Keene Corp. and Owens-Illinois Glass Co.

Bruce H. Bikin, Montgomery, McCracken, Walker, Philadelphia, for Celotex Corp., Carey Canadian Mines.

Andrew J. Trevelise, Reed Smith Shaw & McClay, Philadelphia, for Fibreboard Corp. and Pittsburgh-Corning Corp.

Christopher Santoro, Catherine Jasons, John Patrick Kelley, Kelley, Jasons, McGuire & Spinelli, Philadelphia, for Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.

J. Michael Johnson, Gollatz, Griffin, Ewing and McCarthy, Media, for ACandS, Inc.

William O'Brien, Callahan, Delany & O'Brien, Philadelphia, for C.E. Refractory, Combustion Engineering, C.E. Minerals, Inc. and Globe Refractories, Inc.

William A. Jones, Sherr, Joffe & Zuckerman, W. Conshohocken, for Flintkote Co.

Patrick T. Ryan, Robert Dell'Osa, Drinker, Biddle & Reath, Philadelphia, for Crane Packing and Brinco Min. Ltd.

Andre L. Dennis, Stradley, Ronon, Stevens & Young, Philadelphia, for Hopeman Bros., Inc., Griffin Wheel Co.

Alan Klein, Cohen, Shapiro, Polisher, Shiekman and Cohen, Philadelphia, for Uniroyal, Inc.

Lise Luborsky, Britt, Hankins, Schaible & Moughan, Philadelphia, for DAR Indus. Products.

Edward W. Madeira, Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz, Philadelphia, for Lac D'Amiante Du Quebec.

G. Wayne Renneisen, Harvey, Pennington, Herting & Renneisen, Philadelphia, for Bendix Brake Co.

Norman L. Haase, Dunn, Haase, Sullivan, Mallon, Cherner & Broadt, Media, for Foseco, Inc. and Brand Insulations.

Jeffrey L. Pettit, Phillips & Phelan, Philadelphia, for Dresser Industries, Inc.

Steward C. Crawford, Media, for Delaware Insulation Co.

Vincent Reilly, Marks, O'Neill, Reilly and O'Brien, Philadelphia, for Foster Wheeler Corp., Anchor Packing.

Raymond W. Cobb, Palmer, Beizup & Henderson, Philadelphia, for Anchor Packing Co.

Patrick Riley, Riley & DiFalice, P.C., Pittsburgh, for Owens-Corning Fiberglas.

Stephen J. Imbriglia, Hecker, Brown, Sherry & Johnson, Philadelphia, for U.S. Mineral Products.

Jonathon Wheeler, Wheeler & Bishop, Philadelphia, for Rock Wool Mfg. Co.

Before NIX, C.J., and FLAHERTY, ZAPPALA, CAPPY and CASTILLE, JJ.


OPINION

NIX, Chief Justice.

We granted allowance of appeal and consolidated these twenty-five asbestos-related personal injury cases in order to review the rulings of the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County which transferred these cases to neighboring counties based on the doctrine of forum non conveniens. In 1991, the trial court, faced with an extremely congested back-log of asbestos cases...

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