Bockrath v. Aldrich Chemical Co.
California Supreme Court
980 P.2d 398 (1999)
Thomas Bockrath (plaintiff) developed cancer after working at Hughes Aircraft for over 20 years and sued more than 55 defendant manufacturers of common workplace chemicals, alleging generally that he was exposed to most or all of their products at the plant, inhaled or had skin contact with them, and that the products' chemicals were carcinogenic. After two earlier complaints were dismissed for failing to explain how any specific product caused his cancer, the trial court dismissed his second amended complaint without leave to amend, and the court of appeals affirmed.
Whether a plaintiff whose negligence claim rests on factual allegations that do not naturally suggest causation must plead additional facts explaining how the defendant's conduct caused or contributed to the injury.