Detroit Judge Tosses Asbestos Case Testimony; 2,000 Cases in Jeopardy

A Wayne County, Mich. judge has thrown out medical evidence and expert testimony in asbestos litigation from a doctor who diagnosed thousands of patients with asbestos-related ailments.

Circuit Judge Robert Colombo Jr.’s ruling Wednesday involves Dr. R. Michael Kelly, a Lansing internist and occupational medicine specialist. Colombo ruled standards related to expert testimony weren’t met.

The Detroit Free Press reports the ruling could put more than 2,000 asbestos lawsuits on Colombo’s docket in jeopardy, since cases that used Kelly as an expert for diagnosis would need to find new experts.

Kelly testified that his methods were exact and radiologists not experienced in diagnosing asbestos disease could overlook the indicators he saw.

Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com