Illinois Supreme Court reverses Lipke rule

In a 5-1 decision, the Illinois Supreme Court has handed asbestos defendants a victory by reversing Nolan v. Weil-McLain.

Known as the "Lipke" rule, the precedent-setting case prohibited defendants from introducing evidence of a plaintiff's exposure to other asbestos products.

Justice Charles Freeman delivered the opinion for the court. Justices Thomas Fitzgerald, Rita Garman, Lloyd Karmeier and Anne Burke concurred.

Justice Thomas Kilbride dissented.