Opinion ID: 488510
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: GAF Corporation

Text: 7 GAF seeks to recover from the United States damages it has sustained in defending and settling 766 cases which were brought against GAF by persons injured through contact with asbestos. 13 GAF claims that it is entitled to indemnity, contribution, or apportionment against the United States on the ground that the United States required the company to use thermal insulation products containing asbestos in the construction and repair of ships and in work at government and contract shipyards--even though, GAF alleges, the Government was aware of the health hazards posed by asbestos when it issued the requirements. In consequence of the suits against it, GAF has sustained damages amounting to $3,554,494.99--$2,050,369.71 of which constitutes amounts paid in settlement of the underlying claims and $1,504,125.28 of which represents costs incurred in defending those claims. 14 8 Prior to the commencement of its lawsuit in the District Court, GAF presented its claim pursuant to Section 2675(a). 15 GAF filed its presentment on several Standard Form 95's a form prescribed by the Justice Department for the presentation of claims. 16 Although they differ in some minor respects, GAF's submissions on these forms typically included the following information. Each form names GAF as the claimant and states a total damage claim, aggregating damages for the underlying claims covered by that particular Standard Form 95. The remainder of the form is completed by means of references to attached exhibits. Generally, four exhibits accompanied each form. Exhibit A listed the federal agencies to which the claim was presented. 17 Exhibit B stated a total damage claim for that Standard Form 95 and summarized GAF's legal theories regarding the Government's liability for the class of underlying claims. In addition, the exhibit included a one-page description of each of the underlying claims, including the name of the underlying claimant, his or her social security number or date of birth, an employment history (employer, job site, and dates), the caption and docket number of the underlying case, and the disposition of the underlying claim, including a damage total for that particular claim (settlement or verdict, amount paid, and costs of defense). 18 Exhibit C provided a list of witnesses that would be likely to testify on behalf of GAF at any trial against the United States on this claim. 19 Finally, Exhibit D provided a list of GAF's insurance carriers, their addresses, and GAF's policy numbers. 20 9 When after six months the United States had not made a final disposition of GAF's claim, GAF elected to treat the claim as denied and brought this suit in the District Court. 21