Temple-Inland Products Corporation v. Carter

Martin Carter, Sr. and Larry Wilson (plaintiffs), employees of an electrical contractor hired by Temple-Inland Products Corporation (TIPC) (defendant), unknowingly drilled into asbestos-containing countertops and inhaled asbestos fibers for several weeks without being warned. Nearly two years later, a physician found neither man had developed any asbestos-related disease, though each faced an elevated future risk. Carter and Wilson sued TIPC for mental-anguish damages based on their fear of future illness; the trial court granted summary judgment for TIPC, but a divided court of appeals reversed, holding the fear of future illness could support recovery, and the Texas Supreme Court granted review.