In Re Lockheed Litigation Cases

Juanita Barnett Boyd and 101 other plaintiffs (collectively Plaintiffs) appeal a summary judgment in favor of ExxonMobil Corporation (Exxon) and Union Oil Company of California (Union Oil). Plaintiffs seek damages for wrongful death allegedly caused by exposure to toxic chemicals. Plaintiffs contend the exclusion of their expert’s declaration on causation was error. We conclude that an expert opinion must be based on matter that provides a reasonable basis for the opinion and that the trial court did not err by excluding a declaration that did not comply with this rule. We therefore affirm the judgment.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

Former and current employees of Lockheed Corporation (Lockheed) sued Lockheed and manufacturers and suppliers of chemicals, seeking damages for personal injuries allegedly caused by occupational exposure to chemicals. The actions were coordinated in Lockheed Litigation Cases, Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding No. 2967. The coordinated actions have been tried in groups of plaintiffs. The Court of Appeal has decided appeals arising from six prior trials.

Plaintiffs in this appeal, known as Group 6B, seek damages for wrongful death…