Schenk v. HNA Holdings, Inc.

MARTIN, Chief Judge.

Plaintiffs’ appeals in these cases present to this Court identical questions of law; therefore, we have consolidated the appeals pursuant to Rule 40 of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure. N.C. R. App. P. 40 (2005). The appeals arise from lawsuits in which plaintiffs sought compensatory and punitive damages from defendant, HNA Holdings, Inc., for alleged occupational exposure to asbestos dust and fibers at defendant’s polyester manufacturing plant.

Summarized only to the extent necessary for an understanding of the issues raised on appeal, the evidence at trial…