PLUMMER v. R.T. VANDERBILT COMPANY, INC.

C.A. No. 08C-08-247-ASB, Supreme Court No. 482, 2011.

ELIZABETH PLUMMER, individually and as Executrix of the Estate of EDMOND PLUMMER, SR., deceased, and EDMOND PLUMMER, JR., JOHN PLUMMER and JAMES PLUMMER, as surviving children of EDMOND PLUMMER, SR., deceased, Plaintiffs Below-Appellants, v. R.T. VANDERBILT COMPANY, INC., Defendant Below-Appellee.

Superior Court of Delaware, New Castle County.

Decided: February 20, 2012.


UPON SECOND REMAND FROM THE DELAWARE SUPREME COURT

PEGGY L. ABLEMAN, Judge.

This is the Superior Court's Report to the Supreme Court following its second remand to this Court for the purpose of clarifying the Court's dismissal procedures in connection with the large volume of cases that comprise its asbestos docket.

Regrettably, this Court must report that plaintiffs counsel's representations to the Supreme Court are simply not truthful, and that, contrary to what was stated in plaintiffs' submissions on appeal, the procedure utilized in this case did not "deviate significantly" from "decades" of prior asbestos litigation practice. Furthermore, Plummers' counsel has been on notice of the Court's current practice regarding dismissals at least since December, 2006, when hearings were held for the express purpose of receiving comments from counsel before the current procedure was formally instituted in January 2007. In fact, contrary to counsel's representations to the Supreme Court, counsel was invited to and participated in hearings conducted by then Commissioner David White regarding the change in procedure before it was adopted over five years ago.

Indeed, the dismissal process purportedly described by Plummers' counsel in his submissions to the Supreme Court has not existed in the Superior Court since January 2007. The replacement procedure was the subject of specific Orders to all plaintiffs' attorneys practicing in the asbestos litigation, one of which was specifically directed to the law offices of Jacobs and Crumplar, signed by Judge Joseph Slights and dated January 25, 2007. (Attached as Exhibit A). That procedure, not the one described by counsel to the Supreme Court, has remained in full force and effect since that date and remains in effect today.1

A brief history of how this procedure was adopted helps to explain why the process described by Plummers' counsel no longer exists and why counsel's misrepresentations are especially egregious given the amount of thought and effort that went into the 2007 changes in procedure.

In the early years of this litigation the Court would conduct a periodic "Call of the Calendar," whereby a list of cases would be scheduled for dismissal and interested parties would be notified of the date and time to show cause why dismissal would not be appropriate in any particular instance. As the asbestos docket evolved and the volume of cases steadily increased, with hundreds of asbestos cases being filed each year against hundreds of defendants, it became apparent that the Superior Court needed an improved and more efficient process by which it could clear its docket of closed matters. Resolutions through summary judgment practice or by settlement were extremely common but it was also becoming increasingly difficult to keep track of what was resolved and what was not since individual cases typically had between 10 and 60 defendants.

In late 2006 and early 2007, in an effort to simplify the process of closing these cases, Judge Slights and Commissioner White met with the Prothonotary to devise a new method to dispose of the almost 500 pending cases then facing dismissal. It was decided that a final "Call of the Calendar" would take place on December 28, 2006, and that all plaintiffs' firms and attorneys, as well as Defense Coordinating Counsel would be notified to appear for this final call, at which time they would also be advised that the antiquated and resource-intensive Call-of-the-Calendar approach would be replaced by a more efficient and effective system of closing old files and cases.

Under the new method, it was decided that if the Court had been advised that a case had settled, approximately 30 days after the date when that case was to proceed to trial, the Prothonotary would issue a letter to counsel advising that an Order dismissing the matter would be entered within 30 days (now 60 days post-trial date) unless any party came forward to show good cause why dismissal would be inappropriate.

On the same date as the final call, December 28, 2006, Commissioner White conducted hearings to advise of the anticipated change of practice and to receive comments and input from attorneys regarding any concerns or problems. (Transcript attached as Exhibit B).

As a result of the hearings, it was further agreed that once the matter was closed, the Court could reopen the case for only two purposes: either 1) to pursue an application to enforce the settlement agreement; or 2) to pursue state law claims upon the conclusion of any bankruptcy matters.

Not only was Plummers' counsel notified of the December 2006 hearing and summoned to appear, but counsel was present, fully participated in the vetting process, expressed his agreement with the new procedure, and even offered to assist the Court by taking the lead in drafting a form of letter that would henceforth be the triggering document for dismissal.2 Specifically, Mr. Crumplar stated:

It's simply a question of having a customized letter, which is, I think, what Your Honor just said, that we simply — and I do think a letter is appropriate just to cover those — just due process, which we'll simply say we understand the case is settled, it will be dismissed in 30 days, and we just have the magic language that if there is — after it is dismissed, there are still unpaid settlements, the Court will entertain to understand the case can be revived. As long as there is that statement, then I will not send a letter. I can't speak for other people, but I think that takes care of it. The purpose of that letter is to simply — because there could be a case that is not settled that should go ahead, and I think you need that extra — I mean, even in those cases—you still could revive it with mistake; but, you know, I do think as long as we're trying to have standard procedure, I'm not asking the Prothonotary to do something that they don't normally do.3

Mr. Crumplar later noted:

If we don't have that magic language in there, you're going to get a response; but as long as we have that, I think that's fine ... I will try to propose that language, submit it to the plaintiffs, Mr. Rufo and I would think within 30 days we — you could have a standard form.4

Later during the hearing, Commissioner White gave a directive to counsel which Mr. Crumplar willingly embraced:

The Court: I understand that there is going to be a scheduled plaintiffs' group meeting in early January. I would ask that to the extent that you have any agenda items, that there be not just an agenda item, but you resolve the issue on the content of the letter at that meeting so we will — "we", meaning the Court, can then start issuing those letters immediately thereafter. Mr. Crumplar: And I will endeavor to take the lead on that and advise the Court.5

After the process was thoroughly discussed and evaluated among the attorneys, and the decision was made to modify the prior procedure, the Court issued a series of six Orders dismissing old cases, including an Order that applied specifically to cases filed by the law firm of Jacobs and Crumplar. (Exhibit B) It should be emphasized that the Orders issued on January 25, 2007 are word-for-word identical to the Order that the Prothonotary has been using ever since, and identical to the Order that was used in this case, which was mailed by the Prothonotary to counsel on May 17, 2011.

This file-closing procedure, which has been in effect since January 2007, has worked remarkably well, and has never been challenged until recently when the Jacobs and Crumplar firm wrote a letter objecting to the procedure on December 22, 2011. Hundreds of cases have been successfully and efficiently dismissed and disposed of through this process.

The importance of certainty and clarity with regard to dismissing these cases and of the entry of an express final Order cannot be underestimated. Given the breadth of the Delaware asbestos docket, unimaginable chaos would result if plaintiffs were permitted to keep these cases open until they saw fit to close them, not to mention the potential for the precise difficulties that have arisen in this appeal.

In summary, the Court responds to the Supreme Court's inquiries as follows:

a) Yes, there is a specific procedure in place for the dismissal of multiple defendants and the issuance of final, appealable Orders in asbestos litigation.

b) The procedure was instituted in January 2007 and is as just described.

c) The procedure does not deviate from practice as it has been conducted since January 2007 and the history and reasons for the change are outlined above.

d) The practice employed here has been the same since January 2007 and has not been modified since.

e) Asbestos counsel, including Jacobs and Crumplar, were notified in 2006 of the change, were invited to participate in a hearing before the change was implemented, participated at the hearing, and have been operating under this procedure for more than five years without objection until the issue of the timeliness of this appeal was presented.6

IT IS SO ORDERED.

EXHIBIT A

EFiled: Dec 20, 2006 3:28 Transaction ID 13253069 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE DAVID A. WHITE New Castle County Courthouse COMMISSIONER 500 N. King Street, Suite 10400 Wilmington, DE 19801-3733 (302) 255-0634 (Fax) (302) 255-2257 david.white@state.de.us December 20, 2006 TO: All Delaware Plaintiffs' Asbestos Counsel RE: In Re: Asbestos Litigation, C.A. No. 77C-ASB-2 - Call of the Delaware Asbestos Calendar

Dear Counsel:

We have now reviewed all of the pending Delaware asbestos cases, those scheduled for trial and those yet to be scheduled. Thank you again for your assistance with respect to the second list. We have compared the lists of scheduled and unscheduled cases with our master list of all pending Delaware asbestos cases and we have now identified 486 cases we propose to dismiss. Attached is the list of all pending Delaware asbestos cases that are neither scheduled for trial nor to be scheduled for trial, according to the lists you recently provided to us.

We intend to DISMISS every case on the attached list unless you appear in open court on Thursday December 28, 2006 at 9:00 am and SHOW CAUSE why they should not be dismissed.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

CALL OF THE CALENDAR PENDING ASBESTOS CASES

CIVIL ACTION NUMBER PLAINTIFF PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY 78C-10-079 MULHERN JACOBS 82C-12-102 LOGAN JACOBS 86C-08-070 LOWE JACOBS 87C-04-134 NYSTROM JACOBS 88C-02-001 MERCER JACOBS 88C-09-116 NORRIS JACOBS 88C-09-184 ERCOLE JACOBS 88C-09-199 MUSSER JACOBS 88C-10-225 BROOKS JACOBS 88C-10-255 ALEXANDER JACOBS 88C-11-109 KOWALEWSKI JACOBS 89C-02-215 BARKER JACOBS 89C-05-197 MCDOWELL JACOBS 89C-08-187 WARREN JACOBS 89C-10-024 HOFFMAN JACOBS 89C-10-128 WELLS JACOBS 89C-10-129 BRASURE JACOBS 89C-10-130 SURRICCHIO JACOBS 90C-01-159 JACKSON JACOBS 90C-05-037 MCCABE JACOBS 90C-05-038 WILSON JACOBS 90C-05-167 ANTHONY HADLEY 90C-05-191 BIGGS HADLEY 90C-07-101 WINGATE JACOBS 90C-07-102 SPICER JACOBS 90C-07-103 LANE JACOBS 90C-07-186 RUDD JACOBS 90C-09-067 MARVEL JACOBS 90C-09-068 SOMERS JACOBS 90C-09-112 VINZINSKI JACOBS 90C-11-221 STEELE JACOBS 90C-11-222 DAVIDSON JACOBS 90C-12-039 TURNER JACOBS 90C-12-040 GARRIS JACOBS 90C-12-106 MARVEL JACOBS 90C-12-107 BOWDLE JACOBS 90C-12-108 SCOTT JACOBS 90C-12-109 HILL JACOBS 90C-12-139 TAYLOR JACOBS 91C-01-153 ENGLISH JACOBS 91C-03-106 POWELL HADLEY 91C-03-166 BORRELLI HADLEY 91C-04-046 EWELL JACOBS 91C-04-124 WEST JACOBS 91C-04-125 REED JACOBS 91C-04-153 HARDING JACOBS 91C-04-301 SPADARO JACOBS 91C-04-303 FLEETWOOD JACOBS 91C-06-177 JIMINEZ HADLEY 91C-07-126 PORTER JACOBS 91C-07-127 PETERSON JACOBS 91C-07-251 HASTINGS JACOBS 91C-07-252 BUTLER JACOBS 91C-07-259 HILL JACOBS 91C-07-317 KLINE JACOBS 91C-08-124 MARRO HADLEY 91C-08-249 MURPHY HADLEY 91C-08-265 BRZOZOWSKI HADLEY 91C-09-123 O'NEAL JACOBS 91C-09-234 KING JACOBS 91C-10-121 FRY HADLEY 91C-12-033 DICKERSON JACOBS 91C-12-154 VAN VORST JACOBS 91C-12-156 WIGGINS JACOBS 92C-01-124 KOWALKO HADLEY 92C-02-030 DAVIS HADLEY 92C-02-213 KOLLOCK HADLEY 92C-03-023 NELSON HADLEY 92C-03-084 WALLS HADLEY 92C-03-130 PIZZAIA JACOBS 92C-03-309 MOORE JACOBS 92C-03-310 ESKRIDGE JABOBS 92C-06-097 ADKINS JACOBS 92C-08-057 RODEN JACOBS 92C-10-006 CIRRIGIONE HADLEY 92C-10-087 PANKOWSKI HADLEY 92C-11-065 JERMAN JACOBS 93C-01-141 MULLETT HADLEY 93C-02-019 PASSWATERS JACOBS 93C-02-239 BISHOP JACOBS 93C-03-048 MERRICK JACOBS 93C-03-222 POFFENBERGER HADLEY 93C-07-051 LIEDLICH HADLEY 93C-07-070 MCDOWELL JACOBS 93C-07-205 HENDRIX HADLEY 93C-07-304 BAILEY JACOBS 93C-08-008 GEANOPULOS HADLEY 93C-08-013 DANIELS HADLEY 93C-08-202 LAVELLE JACOBS 93C-09-160 COCHRAN HADLEY 93C-09-173 DEMAIO, HADLEY BEATRICE 93C-09-175 DEMAIO, JAMES HADLEY 93C-10-096 COMBA JACOBS 93C-11-010 FOSKEY JACOBS 93C-11-085 MARINER JACOBS 93C-11-129 WILSON JACOBS 93C-11-131 FAIRCHILD HADLEY 93C-11-166 TOBIN JACOBS 93C-12-099 MCCLELLAND HADLEY 93C-12-274 FARREN JACOBS 93C-12-275 ASH JACOBS 93C-12-276 EDWARDS JACOBS 94C-01-018 STEWART JACOBS 94C-01-037 JONES JACOBS 94C-01-038 PUSEY JACOBS 94C-01-049 SHOCKLEY JACOBS 94C-01-121 MOORE JACOBS 94C-01-122 PIANKA JACOBS 94C-02-069 MURPHY JACOBS 94C-02-170 HYNSON JACOBS 94C-03-011 GEORGE JACOBS 94C-04-114 AUGUST JACOBS 94C-07-035 CALVERT JACOBS 94C-07-115 STEWART JACOBS 94C-07-162 JOHNSON JACOBS 94C-07-167 LORD JACOBS 94C-08-001 HOLLEGER JACOBS 94C-08-014 WILLLEY JACOBS 94C-10-164 SHIPE CRUMPLAR 94C-10-223 CROCKETT JACOBS 94C-11-110 WHEATLEY JACOBS 94C-11-226 EMMELL JACOBS 95C-01-202 MCDOWELL JACOBS 95C-02-019 BOOZ JACOBS 95C-03-123 MESSICK JACOBS 95C-04-097 STOOPS JACOBS 95C-05-064 ROBISON JACOBS 95C-05-085 DE BONIS JACOBS 95C-06-174 FORAKER JACOBS 95C-06-284 WALLACE JACOBS 95C-06-285 WARDELL JACOBS 95C-07-058 CAUDILL JACOBS 95C-07-167 SHEA JACOBS 95C-08-027 CHOMA JACOBS 95C-08-185 LINGENFELTER JACOBS 95C-08-242 FULLER JACOBS 95C-11-009 LODGE LEWIS 96C-01-142 STEWARD CRUMPLAR 96C-01-144 STIGLIANO JACOBS 96C-02-125 JOSWICK JACOBS 96C-03-106 RUSSELL JACOBS 960-03-181 COLE JACOBS 96C-03-252 GINN JACOBS 960-05-266 FLEETWOOD JACOBS 96C-06-156 PEDRICK HADLEY 96C-07-169 GRIFFITH JACOBS 96C-07-271 REED JACOBS 96C-10-028 KUBASKO JACOBS 96C-10-150 MESSICK JACOBS 96C-10-192 WHEATON JACOBS 96C-10-222 SQUIER JACOBS 96C-11-028 SHAW JACOBS 96C-12-165 PITTMAN JACOBS 97C-01-244 THOMPSON JACOBS 97C-02-023 CARTER JACOBS 97C-02-030 COMBS JACOBS 97C-02-220 GRIFFITH JACOBS 97C-03-056 WILLEY LEWIS 97C-03-114 GOLDEN JACOBS 97C-04-098 BAKER JACOBS 97C-05-050 ELLIS JACOBS 97C-05-184 KOWALEWSKI JACOBS 97C-07-223 SALVERIO JACOBS 97C-08-064 HILL JACOBS 97C-08-087 CHANEY JACOBS 97C-09-135 LYONS JACOBS 97C-10-112 RUSZKOWSKI JACOBS 97C-10-153 HITCHENS JACOBS 97C-10-237 LLOYD JACOBS 97C-11-011 DONOFRIO JACOBS 97C-11-127 MARCHESE JACOBS 97C-11-228 PORTER CRUMPLAR 97C-12-019 TRUITT JACOBS 97C-12-101 BUCKLAND JACOBS 97C-12-183 RICHARDSON JACOBS 97C-12-229 FERGUSON JACOBS 98C-01-012 PAOLETTI JACOBS 98C-01-021 MEGILL JACOBS 98C-02-124 LITCHKO JACOBS 98C-03-111 SNYDER JACOBS 98C-03-291 ELLIS JACOBS 98C-04-123 MILLER JACOBS 98C-05-047 NACK JACOBS 98C-05-049 STEGER JACOBS 98C-05-125 FIDYK JACOBS 98C-06-043 HILL JACOBS 98C-06-324 FARRALL JACOBS 98C-06-325 WALLER JACOBS 98C-07-021 EMPSON JACOBS 98C-07-056 WALLS CRUMPLAR 98C-07-279 WRIGHT JACOBS 98C-08-043 MARTIN JACOBS 98C-08-123 PAVLOSKI JACOBS 98C-09-007 PETERS JACOBS 98C-09-063 JOHNSON JACOBS 98C-10-061 BRAND JACOBS 98C-11-058 WATSON JACOBS 98C-12-184 COPES JACOBS 98C-12-229 TISDEL CRUMPLAR 98C-12-258 WATERS HADLEY 99C-01-057 BRADFORD JACOBS 99C-01-173 MEADOWS JACOBS 99C-01-174 ZIMMERMAN JACOBS 99C-01-200 HAYDEN JACOBS 99C-02-027 WARDELL JACOBS 99C-02-044 FRANZONE JACOBS 99C-02-085 BEST JACOBS 99C-02-174 DIMATTEO JACOBS 99C-02-238 DELCOLLO HADLEY 99C-02-278 FLEETWOOD JACOBS 99C-03-034 LISS JACOBS 99C-03-062 REGINALD JACOBS 99C-03-113 BEGLEY JACOBS 99C-03-200 MOROSKI JACOBS 99C-03-286 JACKSON JACOBS 99C-04-005 BANNING JACOBS 99C-04-138 MOYER HADLEY 99C-04-225 DOODY JACOBS 99C-04-319 FRIEND JACOBS 99C-05-053 POYNTER JACOBS 99C-05-183 CALHOUN JACOBS 99C-07-070 EWELL JACOBS 99C-07-304 DAVIS JACOBS 99C-08-094 BROWN JACOBS 99C-09-038 EDWARDS JACOBS 99C-09-074 DONOVAN JACOBS 99C-09-144 SMITH JACOBS 99C-09-190 SHOVLIN JACOBS 99C-09-291 AINNWORTH JACOBS 99C-10-079 LAMBERT JACOBS 99C-10-207 LAYTON JACOBS 99C-10-208 HENRY JACOBS 99C-11-106 SCRUGGS JACOBS 99C-11-268 DIXON JACOBS 99C-12-003 PENN HADLEY 99C-12-120 JOYNER JACOBS 99C-12-130 OPALCZYRSKI JACOBS 99C-12-194 MUTTER JACOBS 99C-12-254 STELTZER JACOBS 00C-03-036 BARBAS HADLEY 00C-04-106 JERNIGAN JACOBS 00C-04-162 CASH JACOBS 00C-04-254 WILFONG HADLEY 00C-05-024 MILLER JACOBS 00C-05-030 PARENT CRUMPLAR 00C-05-045 RIGBY JACOBS 00C-05-059 HOMA FORCINA 00C-05-098 MANN JACOBS 00C-05-099 SMITH JACOBS 00C-05-127 MALICE CRUMPLAR 00C-05-128 CONSOLE FORCINA 00C-05-129 TULL CRUMPLAR 00C-05-130 WALKER JACOBS 00C-05-209 MCCLAY CRUMPLAR 00C-05-210 MEOGROSSI CRUMPLAR 00C-05-211 HAMMOND CRUMPLAR 00C-05-212 STAFFORD CRUMPLAR 00C-05-213 DAWSON CRUMPLAR 00C-05-267 FREE JACOBS 00C-05-282 EMMI CRUMPLAR 00C-06-004 ALLS HADLEY 00C-06-047 WILLIAMS JACOBS 00C-06-129 WISEMAN LEWIS 00C-06-149 SUTTON HADLEY 00C-06-179 NIBLETT JACOBS 00C-06-180 HARMON HADLEY 00C-06-210 KOLB JACOBS 00C-06-260 BARGELSKI JACOBS 00C-07-009 PANKIW CURMPLAR 00C-07-117 WILLIAMS HADLEY 00C-07-185 BARSKY CRUMPLAR 00C-08-029 HEADLEY HADLEY 00C-08-139 ASHCRAFT JACOBS 00C-08-179 LYNCH HADLEY 00C-08-209 DESMOND JACOBS 00C-09-034 FORRESTER JACOBS 00C-09-088 WALDEN CRUMPLAR 00C-09-100 SMITH, SANDY JACOBS 00C-09-141 SMITH, CLAYTON JACOBS 00C-09-161 MCLAUGHLIN JACOBS 00C-10-036 ARTHUR JACOBS 00C-10-050 WALLEY JACOBS 00C-10-142 PYLE CRUMPLAR 00C-10-143 COLLINS LEWIS 00C-11-001 DONAHUE HADLEY 00C-11-075 STEPPI HADLEY 00C-11-091 SWANSON HADLEY 00C-11-159 FASSEL CURMPLAR 00C-11-261 HENSON JACOBS 00C-11-262 HARSHA CRUMPLAR 00C-12-113 VINCENT HADLEY 00C-12-177 DAWSON JACOBS 00C-12-224 WILSON CURMPLAR 01C-01-021 MAHALEY JACOBS 01C-01-138 DINEEN HADLEY 01C-01-158 ALLEN HADLEY 01C-01-176 NAYLOR CRUMPLAR 01C-01-178 KOSEK CRUMPLAR 01C-01-277 JANVIER HADLEY 01C-02-002 CAIN JACOBS 01C-02-003 CARR LEWIS 01C-02-042 CURRINDER CRUMPLAR 01C-02-043 MCBIRDE HADLEY 01C-02-200 TUSIO HADLEY 01C-03-088 HUBER CRUMPLAR 01C-04-001 GRANT HADLEY 01C-04-069 VADALA HADLEY 01C-04-168 NAI JACOBS 01C-05-037 MEARS HADLEY 01C-05-038 SHIELDS HADLEY 01C-05-166 LONG JACOBS 01C-05-226 WARWARK HADLEY 01C-05-259 KILOSKI HADLEY 01C-05-260 MULROONEY HADLEY 01C-06-039 CARROW JACOBS 01C-06-078 CONGO HADLEY 01C-06-092 SANBON JACOBS 01C-06-094 WARWICK HADLEY 01C-06-111 HICKMAN HADLEY 01C-06-112 SPIVEY HADLEY 01C-06-113 PEACE HADLEY 01C-06-114 HETRICK HADLEY 01C-06-138 SNAVELY HADLEY 01C-06-139 DIFRANCESCO HADLEY 01C-06-140 DEERY HADLEY 01C-06-141 IRWIN HADLEY 01C-06-142 KELLER HADLEY 01C-06-143 NEUTZ HADLEY 01C-06-153 STEPTOE HADLEY 01C-06-310 FEDEROWICZ HADLEY 01C-07-088 SPENCE HADLEY 01C-07-102 DONAWAY HADLEY 01C-07-120 DAVIS HADLEY 01C-07-145 MCMILLAN JACOBS 01C-08-068 SHUPE JACOBS 01C-08-114 ACHENBACH HADLEY 01C-08-124 COLE JACOBS 01C-08-126 JONES JACOBS 01C-08-257 STIDHAM CURMPLAR 01C-08-290 GIESECKE CURMPLAR 01C-09-123 WYSZYNSKI CRUMPLAR 01C-10-063 ROCA HADLEY 01C-10-079 DAWSON WILSON 01C-10-173 TOWNSEND HADLEY 01C-10-239 PARCHETT JACOBS 01C-11-061 JOHNSON JACOBS 01C-11-094 CARROLL LEWIS 01C-11-099 SMITH JACOBS 01C-11-131 FORD JACOBS 01C-11-204 REBURN JACOBS 01C-11-205 WARNER CRUMPLAR 01C-11-221 SZCZEPKOWSKI HADLEY 01C-11-238 SMITH JACOBS 01C-11-265 SIEBENROCK GADBOIS 01C-12-061 MILLER CRUMPLAR 01C-12-155 DIPERSIO HADLEY 01C-12-192 JACKSON CRUMPLAR 01C-12-210 DIORIO JACOBS 02C-01-056 MERGENTHALER JACOBS 02C-01-203 DAGE HADLEY 02C-02-013 BARBER HADLEY 02C-02-051 HERBIN JACOBS 02C-02-052 DAVIS JACOBS 02C-02-053 WYKPISZ JACOBS 02C-02-068 SNIEGOWSKI JACOBS 02C-02-086 BOMBALA CRUMPLAR 02C-02-111 TESTERMAN CRUMPLAR 02C-02-112 HUDSON CRUMPLAR 02C-02-134 SMOLKA HADLEY 02C-02-204 BRADY HADLEY 02C-02-208 DONOVAN LEWIS 02C-02-209 WOOTEN LEWIS 02C-02-210 MURPHY JACOBS 02C-03-001 MCMULLEN JACOBS 02C-03-002 WILLIAMS JACOBS 02C-03-003 FONTO JACOBS 02C-03-004 MENSINGER JACOBS 02C-03-043 PUGH HADLEY 02C-03-142 SHIVELY HADLEY 02C-03-220 WATTS CURMPLAR 02C-03-262 BETTS CURMPLAR 02C-04-005 CIAMARICONE JACOBS 02C-04-006 BROBST JACOBS 02C-04-007 WOOSTER JACOBS 02C-04-030 INSLEY JACOBS 02C-04-031 CLARK JACOBS 02C-04-068 HAUCK JACOBS 02C-04-087 WILSON CRUMPLAR 02C-04-107 NEDELKA HADLEY 02C-04-109 HORIEL JACOBS 02C-04-129 BELL CRUMPLAR 02C-04-145 EVANS CRUMPLAR 02C-04-232 ROBINSON JACOBS 02C-04-269 IRWIN JACOBS 02C-05-022 RICHARDSON CRUMPLAR 02C-05-087 CIAFARDO HADLEY 02C-05-101 DONOVAN JACOBS 02C-05-102 COULBOURNE LEWIS 02C-05-103 CLEMENTONI LEWIS 02C-05-214 WITT HADLEY 02C-06-017 GRESMER CRUMPLAR 02C-06-124 SORENSEN CRUMPLAR 02C-06-130 WAISHES CRUMPLAR 02C-06-209 CHASE HADLEY 02C-06-247 MCVEY HADLEY 02C-07-006 SIMMONS JACOBS 02C-07-091 KNOX HADLEY 02C-07-116 GINOCCHIO JACOBS 02C-07-251 TRADER LEWIS 02C-07-252 TRELLA CRUMPLAR 02C-07-266 DAMIANI JACOBS 02C-08-001 MITSDARFER HADLEY 02C-08-015 MILANO CRUMPLAR 02C-08-043 GUHL JACOBS 02C-08-066 KOUKEDIS HADLEY 02C-08-094 NICKLE HADLEY 02C-08-182 COFRANCESCO HADLEY 02C-D8-183 PEDRICK HADLEY 02C-08-218 NESMITH CRUMPLAR 02C-08-268 STEVENSON HADLEY 02C-08-295 MARCHESE JACOBS 02C-10-018 VINCENT JACOBS 02C-10-019 MCLEMORE LEWIS 02C-10-065 RANDOLPH LEWIS 02C-10-092 CLAUSEN LEWIS 02C-10-101 NOWAK JACOBS 02C-10-184 SAXTON LEWIS 02C-10-220 KLINE LEWIS 02C-11-001 MECKE HADLEY 02C-11-053 THOMAS JACOBS 02C-11-054 RICHARDSON CRUMPLAR 02C-11-133 OWENS JACOBS 02C-12-081 BUCKMAN CRUMPLAR 02C-12-200 REED LEWIS 02C-12-230 WISEMAN JACOBS 02C-12-243 SMITH CRUMPLAR 03C-01-115 CUPETO JACOBS 03C-01-122 JAMAROWICZ LEWIS 03C-02-114 PLUMMER CRUMPLAR 03C-03-045 WINDSOR LEWIS 03C-03-189 SPENCER CRUMPLAR 03C-03-261 MCLAUGHLIN LEWIS 03C-04-237 CARTER ARNDT 03C-04-238 EDWARDS ARNDT 03C-04-239 AUGUST ARNDT 03C-04-240 JACKSON ARNDT 03C-04-241 WIGGINS ARNDT 03C-04-242 MORTINER ARNDT 03C-04-243 VINZINSKI ARNDT 03C-04-244 BROOKS ARNDT 03C-04-267 IGBAL CRUMPLAR 03C-04-307 CLAYVILLE CRUMPLAR 03C-05-030 BIRCH HADLEY 03C-05-038 MINUS CRUMPLAR 03C-07-114 HUMPHREY JACOBS 03C-09-026 FORRESTER CRUMPLAR 03C-11-077 PETERS CRUMPLAR 03C-11-117 BUSH LEWIS 04C-01-070 HIRNEISEN JACOBS 04C-02-310 MOORE GADBOIS 04C-03-198 ARMSTRONG CRUMPLAR 04C-03-199 SPENCER CRUMPLAR 04C-03-268 WINDSOR LEWIS 04C-03-269 LAMBERT, CRUMPLAR BERNICE 04C-06-302 SWEETMAN HAGER 05C-01-118 QUESADA HAGER 05C-05-242 PATE JACOBS 05C-05-246 ABOU JACOBS 05C-05-270 ROZENBOOM JACOBS 05C-05-273 JURGENS JACOBS 05C-05-302 SMITH BIFFERATO 05C-06-057 JONES BIFFERATO 05C-06-176 WOOLSTON BIFFERATO 05C-07-123 MACEMORE ARNDT 05C-07-135 FAKE ARNDT 05C-07-176 SANDERS ARNDT 05C-07-177 CAPRIOTTI BIFFERATO 05C-07-178 BRESSANI BIFFERATO 05C-07-247 KOHLER BIFFERATO 05C-07-257 SINEX HAGER 05C-07-320 HARMON ARNDT 05C-08-061 LITTLE ARNDT 05C-08-071 CLARK ARNDT 05C-08-219 BARKER ARNDT 05C-09-033 DAVIS ARNDT 05C-09-065 PARRIS ARNDT 05C-09-096 PEREGRINE ARNDT

EXHIBIT "B-1"

Jacobs & Crumplar Case

In the Matter of Asbestos Cases. Mulhern C.A. No. 78C-10-079 Logan 82C-12-102 Lowe 86C-08-070 Nystrom 88C-04-134 Mercer 88C-02-001 Norris 88C-09-116 Ercole 88C-09-184 Musser 88C-09-199 Brooks 88C-40-225 Alexander 88C-10-255 Kowalewski 88C-11-109 Barker 89C-02-215 McDowell 89C-05-197 Warren 89C-08-187 Hoffman 89C-10-024 Wells 89C-10-128 Bream 89C-10-129 Surricelno 89C-10-130 Jackson 90C-01-159 McCabe 90C-05-037 Wilson 90C-05-038 Wingate 90C-07-101 Spicer 90C-07-102 Lane 90C-07-103 Rudd 90C-07-186 Marvel 90C-09.067 Somers 90C-09-068 Vinzinski 90C-09.112 Steele 900-11-221 Davidson 90C-11-222 Turner 90C-12-039 Garris 90C-12-040 Marvel 90C-12-106 Bowdle 90C-12-107 Scott 90C-12.108 Hill 90C-12-109 Taylor 90C-12-139 English 91C-01-153 Ewell 91C-04-046 Wear 9IC-04-124 Reed 91C-04-125 Harding 91C-04-153 Spadaro 91C-04-301 Fleetwood 91C-04-303 Porter 91C-07-126 Peterson 91C-07-127 Hastings 91C-07-251 Butler 91C-07-252 Hill 91C-07-259 Kline 91C-07-317 O'Neal 91C-09-123 King 91C-09-234 Dickerson 91C-12-033 Van Vorst 91C-12-154 Wiggins 91C-12-156 Pizzaia 92C-03-430 Moore 92C-03-309 Eskridge 92C-03-310 Adkins 92C-06-097 Roden 92C-08-057 Jerman 92C-11-065 Passwaters 93C-02-019 Bishop 93C-02-239 Merrick 93C-03-048 McDowell 93C-07-070 Bailey 93C-07-304 Lavelle 93C-08-202 Combo 93C-10-096 Foskey 93C-11-010 Mariner 93C-11-085 Wilson 93C-11-129 Tobin 93C-41-166 Farrell 93C-12-274 Ash 93C-12-275 Edwards 93C-12-276 Stewart 94C-01-018 Jones 94C-01-037 Pusey 94C-01-038 Shockley 94C-01-049 Moore 94C-01-421 Punka 94C-01-122 Murphy 94C-02-069 Hynson 94C-02-170 George 94C-03-011 August 94C-04-114 Calvert 94C-07-035 Stewart 94C-07-115 Johnson 94C-07-162 Lord 94C-07-167 Hanger 94C-08-001 Willey 94C-08-014 Shin 94C-10-164 Crockett 94C-10-223 Wheatley 94C-11-410 Emmell 94C-11-226 McDwell 95C-01-202 Boaz 95C-02-019 Messick 95C-03-423 Stoops 95C-04-097 Robison 95C-05-064 De Boins 95C-05-085 Fontker 95C-06-174 Wallace 95C-06-284 Wardell 95C-06-285 Caudill 95C-07-058 Shea 95C-07-167 Choma 95C-08-027 Lingenfelter 95C-08-185 Fuller 95C-08-242 Lodge 95C-11-009 Steward 96C-01-142 Stigliano 96C-01-144 Joswick 96C-02-125 Russell 96C-03-106 Cole 96C-03-181 Ginn 96C-03.252 Fleetwood 96C-05-266 Griffith 96C-07-169 Reed 96C-07-471 Kubesko 96C-l0-028 Messick 96C-10-150 Wheaton 96C-10-192 Squier 96C-40-222 Shaw 96C-11-028 Pittman 96C-12-165 Thompson 97C-01-244 Carter 97C-02-023 Combs 97C-02-030 Griffith 97C-02-220 Willey 97C-03-056 Golden 97C-03-114 Baker 97C-04-098 Ellis 97C-05-050 Kowalewaki 97C-05-184 Salvedrio 97C-07-223 Hill 97C-08-064 Chaney 97C-08-087 Lyons 97C-09-135 Ruszkowsli 97C-40-112 Kitchens 97C-40-453 Lloyd 97C-10-237 Donofrio 97C-11-011 Marchese 97C-11-127 Porter 970-11-228 Troia 97C-12-019 Buckland 97C-12-101 Richardson 97C-12-183 Ferguson 97C-12-229 Paoletti 98C-01-012 Megill 98C-01-021 Liteltko 98C-02-124 Snyder 98C-03-113 Ellis 98C-03-291 Miller 98C-04-123 Neck 98C-05-047 Steger 98C-05-049 Fidyk 98C-05-125 Hill 98C-06-043 Farrah 98C-06-324 Waller 98C-06-325 Empson 98C-07-021 Walls 98C-07-056 Wright 98C-07-279 Martin 98C-08-043 Payloski 98C-08-123 Peters 98C-09-007 Johnson 98C-09-063 Brand 98C-40-061 Watson 98C-11-058 Copes 98C-42-184 Tisdel 98C-12-229 Bradford 99C-01-057 Meadows 99C-01-173 Zimmerman 99C-01-174 Hayden 99C-01-200 Wardell 99C-02-027 Franzone 99C-02-044 Best 99C-02-085 Dimanco 99C-02-174 Fleetwood 99C-02-278 Liss 99C-03-034 Reginald 99C-03-062 Reginald 99C-03-113 Moroski 99C-03-200 Jackson 99C-03-286 Banning 99C-04-005 Doody 99C-04-225 Friend 99C-04-319 Poynter 99C-05-053 Calhoun 99C-05-183 Ewell 99C-07-070 Davis 99C-07-304 Brown 99C-08-094 Edwards 99C-09-038 Donovan 99C-09-074 Smith 99C-09-144 Shovlin 99C-09-190 Ainnworth 99C-09-291 Lambert 99C-10.079 Layton 99C-10-207 Henry 99C-10-208 Scruggs 99C-11-106 Dixon 99C-11-268 Joyner 99C-12-120 Opalczyrski 99C-12-130 Mutter 99C-12-194 Switzer 99C-12-254 Jernigan 00C-04-106 Cash 00C-04-162 Miller 00C-05-024 Parent 00C-05-030 Rigby 00C-05-045 Homa 00C-05-459 Mann 00C-05-098 Smith 00C-05-099 Malice 00C-05-127 Console 00C-05-128 Tull 00C-05-129 Walker 00C-05-130 McClay 00C-05-209 Meogrossi 00C-05-210 Hammond 00C-05-211 Stafford 00C-05-212 Dawson 00C-05-213 Free 00C-05-267 Emmi 00C-05-282 Williams 00C-06-047 Wiseman 00C-06-129 Niblett 00C-06-179 Kolb 00C-06-210 Bargelski 00C-06-260 Pankive 00C-07-009 Barsky 00C-07-185 Ashcroft 00C-08-139 Desmond 00C-08-209 Forrester 00C-09-034 Walden 00C-09-088 Smith, Sandy 00C-09-100 Smith, Clayton 00C-09-141 McLaughlin 00C-09-161 Arthur 00C-10-036 Walley 00C-10-050 Pyle 00C-10-142 Collins 00C-10-143 Fassel 00C-11-159 Henson 00C-11-261 Marsha 00C-11-262 Dawson 00C-12-177 Wilson 00C-12-224 Mohaley 01C-01-021 Naylor 01C-01-176 Kosek 01C-01-178 Cain 01C-02-002 Carr 01C-02-003 Cuninder 01C-02-042 Huber 01C-03-088 Nai 01C-04-168 Long 01C-05-166 Carrow 01C-06-039 Sanbon 01C-06-092 McMillan 01C-07-145 Shupe 01C-08-068 Cole 01C-08-124 Jones 01C-08-126 Sudham 01C-08-257 Giesocke 01C-08-290 Wyszynski 01C-09-123 Parehett 01C-10-239 Johnson 01C-11-061 Carroll 01C-11-094 Smith 01C-11-099 Ford 01C-11-131 Reborn 01C-11-204 Warner 01C-11-205 Smith 01C-11-233 Miller 01C-12-061 Jackson 01C-12-192 Diorio 01C-12-210 Mergenthaler 02C-01-056 Herbin 02C-02-051 Davis 02C-02-052 Wykpisz 02C-02-053 Sniegowski 02C-02-068 Bombala 02C-02-086 Testerman 02C-02-111 Hudson 02C-02-112 Donovan 02C-02-208 Wooten 02C-42-209 Murphy 02C-02-210 McMullen 02C-03-001 Williams 02C-03-002 Fonto 02C-03-003 Mensiner 02C-03-004 Watts 02C-03-220 Betts 02C-03-262 Ciamarieone 02C-04-005 Brobst 02C-04-006 Wooster 02C-04-007 Insley 02C-04-030 Clark 02C-04-431 Muck 02C-04.068 Wilson 02C-04-087 Horiel 02C-04-109 Bell 02C-04-129 Evans 02C-04-145 Robinson 02C-04-232 Irwin 02C-04-269 Richardson 02C-05-022 Donovan 02C-05-101 Coulbourne 02C-05-102 Clemontoni 02C-05-103 Gresmer 02C-06-017 Sorensen 02C-06-124 Waishes 02C-06-130 Simmons 02C-07-006 Ginoeehio 02C-07-116 Trader 02C-07-251 Trella 02C-07-252 Damiani 02C.07-266 Milano 02C-08-015 Gold 02C.08-043 Nesmith 02C-08-218 Marchese 02C-08-295 Vincent 02C-10-018 McLemore 02C-40-019 Randolph 02C-10-065 Clausen 02C-10-092 Nowak 02C-40-101 Saxton 02C-10-184 Kline 02C-10-220 Thomas 02C-11-053 Richardson 02C.11-0$4 Owens 02C-11-133 Buckman 02C-12-081 Reed 02C-12-200 Wiseman 02C-12-230 Smith 02C-42-243 Cupeto 03C-01-115 Jammarowicz 03C-01-122 Plummer 03C-02-114 Windsor 03C-03-045 Spencer 03C-03-189 McLayghlin 03C-03-261 Carter 03C-04-237 Edwards 03C-04-238 August 03C-04-239 Jackson 03C-04-240 Wiggins 03C-04.241 Mortiner 03C-04-242 Vinzinski 03C-04-243 Brooks 03C-04-244 Igbal 03C-04-267 Clayville 03C-04-307 Minus 03C-05-038 Humphrey 03C-07-114 Forrester 03C-09-026 Peters 03C-11-077 Bush 03C-11-117 Hirneisen 04C-01.070 Armstrong 04C-03-198 Spencer 04C-03-199 Windsor 04C-03-268 Lambert, Bernice 04C-03-269

ORDER

WHEREAS, the law Jacobs and Cruniplar represents the plaintiffs in the above captioned cases;

WHEREAS, certaht defendants the above cases have not folly paid the agreed upon settlement amounts;

WHEREAS, an is ettlement u7otues are not forthcoming eagreed upon between the parties;

WHEREAS, according to correspondence to the Court dated January 4, 2037, sorne cases noted above involve bankrupt defendants or other bankruptcy related issues which have not been resolved at this moment;

THERE FORE It IS HEIREOV ORDERED, this 25th clay of January 2007, the above captioned cases are hereby DISMISSED; however upon oat a nd upon a showing of good cause, each of t o cases may be reopened ter the limited purpose rrf pursuing applinuions to enforce settlement ageements or pursuing Sitaw law claims upon the conclusion of any bankruptcy related matters.

EXHIBIT B

FootNotes


1. This procedure has not been challenged by any lawyer for either plaintiff or defendant in any asbestos litigation since January 2007 until very recently when Robert Jacobs, Esquire, wrote a letter to the Prothonotary objecting to the Court's dismissal of certain cases. It is perhaps not a coincidence that the letter is dated December 22, 2011 and was written while this appeal was pending. This letter, in turn, prompted a motion filed by Defense Coordinating Counsel on behalf of all asbestos defense attorneys strongly objecting to any change in the existing procedures as these have worked well for over five years.
2. In re: Asbestos Litig., C.A. No. 77C-ASB-2, at 34: 2-10. (Del. Super. Dec. 28, 2006) (White, Comm'r) (TRANSCRIPT) ("Hearing Transcript"). Initially Crumplar failed to appear for the hearing, prompting the following exchange: Mr. Rufo: Your Honor, I note the absence of anyone from the Jacobs & Crumplar firm. The Court: I was going to ask if you wouldn't mind stepping out into the hallway and calling their office. We'll take a brief recess and see what — it may be that they don't want to participate, but it would be nice to know that. Mr. Rufo: I have to borrow a phone because — Mr. Wilson is giving me his.

Eventually Crumplar did show up for the hearing and apologized to the Court, claiming that the date had not been on his calendar.

Within minutes of his arrival, Crumplar heartily endorsed the Court's desire to treat the asbestos cases like any other civil case whereby the parties have 30 days to submit stipulations and releases or the Court would enter a dismissal:

Mr. Crumplar: I think that what is more appropriate is a simple dismissal — a notice that when a case has been settled, and the parties have informed the Court, that some kind of administrative order that 30 days or at some particular point the case is dismissed. The Court: Like we do now with all other civil cases? Mr. Crumplar: Yes. The case is dismissed. There's a provision and, Your Honor, I've discussed this with you in terms of coming up, and I shared it with plaintiffs' counsel and then defense counsel, that if the settlement was not paid, that the Court could revive the case and reopen the matter. I think that is the — that is what is done in federal court, The Court: Well, that's something for us to consider. And I know, Mr. Crumplar, you were going to try to take a stab at some language on a letter that would — standard letter, like the ones we currently send out. Mr. Crumplar: Your Honor, I will have that at least circulated by the end of today.
3. Hearing Transcipt at 61: 5-23.
4. Id. at 62: 16-63: 1.
5. Id. at 67: 13-22.
6. What is most frustrating about Plummers' counsel's misrepresentations to the Supreme Court is the undue amount of time that this Court has expended in having to write not one, but two reports, to explain the inaccuracies, time that could and should have been devoted to other more legitimate matters.

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