CA STATECalifornia Court of Appeal
1996

Armstrong World Industries, Inc. v. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co.

45 Cal. App. 4th 1California Court of Appeal • Decided 1996Enforced

HOLDING

Armstrong World Industries sued its insurance carriers over coverage for asbestos-related injuries. The California Court of Appeal ruled that all insurance policies in effect from the time a worker is first exposed to asbestos through death must cover the injury claim. This matters to subcontractors because it means multiple insurance policies may be triggered for asbestos exposure, potentially affecting liability and indemnification obligations on job sites.

KEY FINDINGS

Insurance Requirements

All insurance policies active during the exposure-to-death period are responsible for coverage—not just the policy in effect when symptoms appeared

Broad Indemnification

Medical evidence of progressive physiological damage (not just diagnosis) triggers coverage, so document health changes over time

FULL COURT OPINION