Herbert E. Wyatt, et ux vs. A-Best Products Co., Inc., et al.

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I N THE COURT OF APPEALS OF TENNESSEE HERBERT E. W YATT a nd BRENDA W YATT, h i s wi f e , ) ) ) Pl a i nt i f f s - Appe l l a nt s , ) ) ) ) ) ) A- BEST PRODUCTS COM PANY, ) I NC. , e t a l . , ) ) De f e nda nt s - Appe l l e e s . ) C/ A NO. 03A01- 9502- CV- 00066 KNOX COUNTY CI RCUI T COURT HONORABLE W HEELER A. ROSENBALM , J UDGE FILED November 30, 1995 AFFI RM ED AND REM ANDED Cecil Crowson, Jr. Appellate C ourt Clerk GEORGE A. W EBER I I I , M KE G. NASSI OS, J ERE FRANKLI N OW I NBY I I I , of THE LAW OFFI CES OF PETER G. ANGELOS, Knoxvi l l e , a nd J ERRY J . PHI LLI PS, of c ouns e l , f or Appe l l a nt s . LOUI S C. W OOLF, HUGH B. BRI GHT, M DENI SE M . ORETZ, J . FORD LI TTLE, of W OOLF, M CLANE, BRI GHT, ALLEN & CARPENTER, Knoxvi l l e , f or c App e l l e e OW ENS- I LLI NOI S, I NC. DONALD F. PAI NE, DW GHT E. TARW I ATER, THOM AS A. BI CKERS, ANDREW R. TI LLM AN, Knoxvi l l e , f or Appe l l e e OW ENS- CORNI NG FI BERGLAS CORPORATI ON. CHARLES W BURSON, At t or ne y Ge ne r a l a nd Re por t e r of t he St a t e o f . Te nn e s s e e , KEVI N STEI LI NG, As s i s t a nt At t or ne y Ge ne r a l , f or I n t e r v e nor , ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE. PAUL T. GI LLENW ATER o f GI LLENW ATER, NI CHOL & AM ES, Knoxvi l l e , a n d DAVI D F. PARTLETT, Va nde r b i l t Uni ve r s i t y Sc hool of La w, Na s h v i l l e , f i l e d Ami c us Cu r i a e br i e f . M CHAEL Y. ROW I LAND, J ANET EDW ARDS, of ROW LAND & ROW LAND, P. C. , Kn o x v i l l e , f i l e d Ami c us Cu r i a e br i e f . DAVI D E. W TE o f BROW & W TE, Knoxvi l l e , f i l e d Ami c us Cur i a e AI N AI br i e f . ROBERT H. HOOD, G. M ARK PHI LLI PS, J AM ES D. GANDY, I I I , J OSEPH C. W LSON, I V, o f t he HOOD LAW FI RM Cha r l e s t on, S. C. , a nd R. HUNTER I , CAGLE o f KENNERLY, M ONTGOM ERY & FI NLEY, Knoxvi l l e , f i l e d br i e f of Ami c i A. P. GREEN I NDUSTRI ES, I NC. , ARM STRONG W ORLD I NDUSTRI ES, I NC. , ASBESTOS CLAI M M S ANAGEM ENT CORPORATI ON f / k/ a NATI ONAL GYPSUM COM PANY, GAF CORPORATI ON, T&N PLC, a nd UNI TED STATES GYPSUM COM PANY. O P I N I O N Sus a no, J . 1 The c ompl a i nt i n t hi s c a s e s e e ks da ma ge s f or l ung d i s e a s e c a us e d by e xpos ur e t o a s be s t os . He r be r t E. W t t ( W t t ) ya ya s u e d n u me r ous ma nuf a c t ur e r s a nd s e l l e r s of pr oduc t s t o whi c h h e wa s a l l e ge dl y e xpos e d dur i ng hi s wor ki ng ye a r s . W a t t , s ue d f or l os s of c o ns or t i um. y d e f e n d a nt s s umma r y j udgme nt . Hi s wi f e , Br e n d a The t r i a l j udge gr a nt e d t h e He he l d t ha t t he W t t s ' ya a c t i on wa s t i me - b a r r e d by t he t e n- ye a r s t a t ut e of r e pos e f ound a t T. C. A. § 2 9 - 2 8 - 1 0 3( a ) 1 , a pa r t of t he Te nne s s e e Pr oduc t s Li a bi l i t y Ac t o f 1 9 7 8 ( TPLA) 2 . He a l s o c onc l ude d t ha t t he 1979 a me ndme nt 3 t o t he TPLA, c odi f i e d a t T. C. A. § 29- 28- 103( b) 4 , t he s o- c a l l e d a s be s t o s e x c e p t i on, c oul d not be c ons t i t ut i ona l l y c ons t r ue d t o r e vi ve t h e W at t s ' y a l r e a dy- ba r r e d c l a i ms . Thi s l a t t e r hol di ng wa s ba s e d o n t h e t r i a l c our t ' s de t e r mi n a t i on t ha t t he de f e nda nt s ha d a c qui r e d a v e s t e d r i ght i n r e pos e a s a r e s ul t of t he 1978 e na c t me nt of t h e TPLA, a nd t ha t t hi s ve s t e d r i ght c oul d not be r e t r oa c t i ve l y d i v e s t e d by t he a s be s t os e xc e pt i on. The t r i a l c our t a l s o s t r uc k d o wn t h e a s be s t os e xc e pt i on a s unc ons t i t ut i ona l c l a s s l e gi s l a t i o n 1 T.C.A. § 29-28-103(a) provides, in pertinent part, as follows: Any action against a manufacturer or seller of a product for injury to person or property caused by its defective or unreasonably dangerous condition must be brought within the period fixed by §§ 28-3-104, 28-3105, 28-3-202 and 47-2-725, but notwithstanding any exceptions to these provisions it must be brought within six (6) years of the date of injury, in any event, the action must be brought within ten (10) years from the date on which the product was first purchased for use or consumption . . . (Emphasis added.) 2 Chapter 703, Public Acts of 1978, effective July 1, 1978. 3 Chapter 162, Public Acts of 1979, effective July 1, 1979. 4 T.C.A. § 29-28-103(b) provides, in pertinent part, as follows: The foregoing limitation of actions [T.C.A. § 29-28103(a)] shall not apply to any action resulting from exposure to asbestos . . . 2 i n v i o l a t i on of Ar t i c l e XI , Se c t i on 8 of t he Te nne s s e e Co n s t i t ut i on. The W t t s a ppe a l , r a i s i ng i s s ue s t ha t pos e t he ya f o l l o wi ng que s t i ons : 1. Di d t he de f e nda nt s a c qui r e a r i ght i n t he ba r of t he t e n- ye a r pe r i od of l i mi t a t i ons t ha t c oul d not be di ve s t e d by e na c t me nt of t he a s be s t os e xc e pt i on wi t hout r unni ng a f oul of Ar t i c l e I , Se c t i on 20, of t he Te nne s s e e Cons t i t ut i on? 2. I s t he a s be s t unc ons t i t ut i ona l vi ol a t i on o f Ar t i Te nne s s e e Cons t i t os e xc e pt i on c l a s s l e gi s l a t i on i n c l e XI , Se c t i on 8, o f t he ut i on? I W t t wor ke d a s a c a r pe nt e r f r om 1951 t o 1984. ya He c l a i ms e mpl oyme nt - r e l a t e d e xpos ur e t o pr oduc t s c ont a i ni ng a s b e s t o s t ha t we r e ma nuf a c t ur e d a nd/ or s ol d by t he de f e nda nt s . Al t h o u g h i t i s not c l e a r whe n he wa s l a s t e xpos e d t o a s be s t os , i t i s u n d i s put e d t ha t none of t he de f e nda nt s s ol d or di s t r i but e d a n y a s b e s t o s - c ont a i ni ng pr oduc t s r e l e va nt t o t hi s a c t i on wi t hi n t e n y e a r s o f J ul y 1, 1978, t he e f f e c t i ve da t e of t he or i gi na l e na c t me nt o f t he TPLA. I n 1984, W t t opt e d f or e a r l y r e t i r e me nt due t o he a l t h ya p r o b l e ms , i nc l udi ng une xpl a i ne d s hor t ne s s of br e a t h. 1 9 8 9 , h e wa s di a gnos e d wi t h a s be s t os i s . I n M y, a He a nd hi s wi f e f i l e d t h i s a c t i on on M y 2, 1990, wi t hi n one ye a r of t he da t e he a 3 d i s c o v e r e d t ha t he wa s s uf f e r i ng f r om a n a s be s t os - r e l a t e d l ung di s e a s e . II The r e s ol ut i on of t hi s c a s e de pe nds upon t he pr ope r i n t e r p r e t a t i on of T. C. A. § 29- 28- 103( a ) . Tha t s t a t ut e pr ovi de s , i n p e r t i ne nt pa r t , a s f ol l ows : Any a c t i on a ga i ns t a ma nuf a c t ur e r or s e l l e r of a pr oduc t f or i nj ur y t o pe r s on or pr ope r t y c a us e d by i t s de f e c t i ve or unr e a s ona bl y da nge r ous c ondi t i on mus t be br ought wi t hi n t he pe r i od f i xe d by §§ 28- 3- 104, 28- 3- 105, 28- 3- 202 a nd 47- 2- 725, but not wi t hs t a ndi ng a ny e xc e pt i ons t o t he s e pr ovi s i ons i t mus t be br ought wi t hi n s i x ( 6) ye a r s of t he da t e of i nj ur y, i n any e v e nt , t he ac t i on mus t be br ought wi t hi n t e n ( 10) y e ar s f r om t he dat e on whi c h t he pr oduc t was f i r s t pur c has e d f or us e or c ons umpt i on. . . ( Emp h a s i s a dde d) . A t hr e s hol d que s t i on i n t hi s c a s e i s whe t he r t h e i t a l i c i z e d p a r t o f t he s t a t ut e i s pr ope r l y c ha r a c t e r i z e d a s a s t a t ut e of l i mi t a t i ons , o r a s one of r e pos e . W t t a r gue s t ha t ya i t s h o u l d b e c l a s s i f i e d a s a c onve nt i ona l s t a t ut e of l i mi t a t i on s , p o i nt i ng o ut t ha t i t wa s a pa r t of a s e c t i on e nt i t l e d " St a t ut e of Li mi t a t i ons " whe n t he TPLA wa s or i gi na l l y e na c t e d by t he l e g i s l a t ur e 5 ; a nd t ha t t he 1979 a s be s t os e xc e pt i on 6 t o t he TPLA r e f e r s t o " l i mi t a t i on of a c t i ons " but not " r e pos e . " W t hi nk, e h o we v e r , t ha t t he a na l ys i s s houl d r e vol ve a r ound t he s ubs t a nc e o f 5 See footnote 2, this opinion. 6 See footnote 3, this opinion. 4 t h e s t a t ut or y l a ngua ge , a n d i t s l ogi c a l a nd i nt e nde d e f f e c t , r a t he r t ha n h ow i t wa s e nt i t l e d or l a be l e d. Cour t s i n Te nne s s e e ha ve c ons i s t e nt l y poi nt e d out t he d i s t i nc t i on b e t we e n a s t a t ut e of l i mi t a t i ons a nd a s t a t ut e of r e pos e . The f or me r ha s be e n de s c r i be d a s a f f e c t i ng onl y a p a r t y ' s r e me dy f or a c a us e of a c t i on, whi l e t he r unni ng of a s t a t u t e of r e pos e ha s be e n s a i d t o " nul l i f [ y] bot h t he r e me dy a n d t he r i gh t . " Br uc e v . Hami l t on, 894 S. W 2d 274, 276 ( Te nn. App. . 1 9 9 3 ) ; Vi a v . Ge ne r al El e c . Co. , 799 F. Supp. 837, 839 ( W D. Te n n . . 1992) . Ge ne r a l l y s pe a ki ng, t h e c r i t i c a l di s t i nc t i on i n c l a s s i f yi ng a s t a t ut e a s one of r e pos e or one of l i mi t a t i ons i s t h e e v e nt or oc c ur r e nc e de s i gna t e d a s t he " t r i gge r i ng e ve nt , " i . e . , t he e ve nt t ha t s t a r t s t he " c l oc k" r unni ng on t he t i me a l l owe d f or t he f i l i ng o f s ui t . I n a t r a di t i ona l s t a t ut e of l i mi t a t i ons , t h e t r i gge r i ng e ve nt i s t ypi c a l l y t he a c c r ua l of t he a c t i on , i . e . , whe n a l l t he e l e me nt s of t he a c t i on, i n c l udi ng i n j u r y or da ma ge s , ha ve c oa l e s c e d, r e s ul t i ng i n a l e ga l l y c o g n i z a bl e c l a i m. A s t a t u t e of r e pos e , on t he ot he r ha nd, t y p i c a l l y de s c r i be s t he t r i gge r i ng e ve nt a s s ome t hi ng ot he r t h a n a c c r u a l , pr ompt i ng c our t s t o not e t ha t s uc h s t a t ut e s a r e " e n t i r e l y u nr e l a t e d t o t he a c c r ua l of a ny a c t i on. . . " W t s v. at Put na m Co. , 525 S. W 2d 488 , 491 ( Te nn. 1975) , Cr oni n v . Howe , 9 0 6 . S. W 2 d 910, 913 ( Te nn. 199 5) . . Be c a us e a s t a t ut e of r e pos e s e t s t he t r i gge r i ng e ve nt a s s o me t hi ng o t he r t ha n a c c r ua l , i t c a n ha ve t he e f f e c t of 5 b a r r i ng a p l a i nt i f f ' s c l a i m be f or e i t a c c r ue s , mos t t ypi c a l l y b e f o r e t he pl a i nt i f f be c ome s a wa r e of hi s or he r i nj ur y. Se e Cr o ni n, 906 S. W 2d a t 913; Br uc e , 894 S. W 2d a t 276 ( " A s t a t ut e . . o f r e p o s e i s a s ubs t a nt i ve pr ovi s i on be c a us e i t e xpr e s s l y q u a l i f i e s t he r i ght whi c h t he s t a t ut e c r e a t e s by ba r r i ng a r i g h t o f a c t i on e ve n be f or e t he i nj ur y ha s oc c ur r e d i f t he i nj ur y o c c u r s s ubs e que nt t o t he pr e s c r i be d t i me pe r i od. " ) Thi s p o s s i b i l i t y ha s pr ompt e d c our t s t o hol d t ha t s t a t ut e s of r e pos e a f f e c t t he s ubs t a nt i ve r i ght of a pa r t y t o br i ng s ui t , a s we l l a s t h e r e me dy. I d. The t e n- ye a r pe r i od s e t f or t h i n T. C. A. § 29- 28- 103( a ) i s p r o p e r l y c ha r a c t e r i z e d a s a s t a t ut e of r e pos e . I t s t r i gge r i n g e v e n t i s t he " da t e on whi c h t he pr oduc t wa s f i r s t pur c ha s e d f o r u s e o r c ons umpt i on. " I t s t a r t s t he " c l oc k" r unni ng f r om t ha t o c c ur r e nc e , a nd t he t i me i s up a f t e r t e n ye a r s . W n t he TPLA he wa s o r i gi na l l y e na c t e d i n 1978, t he l e gi s l a t ur e di d not pr ovi de a n e x c e pt i on o r a l l owa nc e f or l a t e nt i nj ur i e s or t he l i ke ; i t s u s e o f t he wor ds " i n a ny e ve nt " unde r s c or e s t he unc ondi t i ona l n a t ur e of t he t e n- ye a r l i mi t a t i on. Fur t he r , s e ve r a l c our t s t ha t h a v e a d dr e s s e d t hi s i s s ue , or i s s ue s c l os e l y r e l a t e d t o i t , ha v e i n t e r p r e t e d t he t e n- ye a r pe r i od t o be a s t a t ut e of r e pos e . Vi a , 7 9 9 F. Supp. a t 839; Jone s v . Fi v e St ar Engi ne e r i ng, I nc . , 717 S. W 2 d 882, 883 ( Te nn. 198 6) ; M e r s v . Hay e s I nt ' l . Cor p. , 701 . y F. Su p p . 618, 624- 25 ( M D. Te nn. 1988) ; W ne v . TVA, 730 F. 2d . ay 3 9 2 , 4 0 0- 01 ( 5t h Ci r . 1984) . Ac c or di ngl y, we hol d t ha t t he t e n - 6 y e a r p e r i od e s t a bl i s he d by T. C. A. § 29- 28- 103( a ) i s a s t a t ut e o f r e pos e . III The ne xt i s s ue we mus t a ddr e s s i s t he e f f e c t of t he TPLA' s e nac t me nt upon W t t ' s c a us e of a c t i on. ya W t t a nd ya s u p p o r t i ng ami c i s t r e nuous l y a nd a bl y a r gue t ha t s i nc e W t t ' s ya c a us e of a c t i on d i d n ot a c c r ue unt i l a f t e r t he a s be s t os e xc e pt i on 7 be c a me e f f e c t i v e i n 1979, t ha t e xc e pt i on s houl d a ppl y t o , a n d s a ve , hi s a c t i on. The y r e l y upon Te nne s s e e c a s e l a w t o t he e f f e c t t ha t " t he r e i s no ve s t e d r i ght i n a s t a t ut e of l i mi t a t i on unl e s s a nd unt i l t he c a us e or a c t i on ha s a c c r ue d a n d e xpi r e d. " W t s , 525 S. W 2d a t 492. at . I f t he t e n- ye a r pe r i od wa s a c o n v e nt i ona l s t a t ut e o f l i mi t a t i ons , we woul d a gr e e , s i nc e a s t a t ut e of l i mi t a t i ons g e ne r a l l y doe s not s t a r t t o r un unt i l a c c r u a l , whi c h, unde r t he di s c ove r y r ul e ( s e e Te e t e r s v . Cur r e y , 5 1 8 S. W 2d 512 ( Te nn. 1974 ) ; M Cr os ke y v . Br y ant Ai r Cond. Co. , . c 5 2 4 S. W 2d 487 ( Te nn. 1975 ) ) , doe s not oc c ur unt i l t he pl a i nt i f f . d i s c o v e r s or s houl d ha ve di s c ove r e d hi s or he r i nj ur y. Si nc e t he t e n- ye a r pe r i od s e t f or t h i n T. C. A. § 29- 2 8 1 0 3 ( a ) i s a s t a t ut e of r e pos e , we do not be l i e ve i t i s l ogi c a l t o f o c u s o n t he da t e of a c c r ua l , s i nc e , a s not e d a bove , t he s t a t u t e r u n s f r om t he t r i gge r i ng e ve nt wi t hout r e ga r d t o a c c r ua l . p r e s e n t c a s e , t he pl a i n l a ngua ge of T. C. A. § 29- 28- 103( a ) 7 See footnote 4, this opinion. 7 I n t he r e q u i r e s a n i nt e r pr e t a t i on t ha t t he t e n- ye a r pe r i od s t a r t s t o r u n f r o m a n d a f t e r t he da t e of t he pr oduc t ' s or i gi na l s a l e f or us e o r c o n s u mp t i on. Si nc e i t i s undi s put e d t ha t a l l of t he pr oduc t s c o mp l a i ne d of i n t hi s c a s e we r e s ol d mor e t ha n t e n ye a r s pr i or t o t h e p a s s a ge of t he 1978 e n a c t me nt of t he TPLA, t ha t a c t , s p e c i f i c a l l y T. C. A. § 29- 28- 103( a ) , ba r r e d t he W t t s ' ya c a us e s o f a c t i o n , bot h t he r i ght a nd t he r e me dy, on J ul y 1, 1978, t he da t e t h e TPLA b e c a me e f f e c t i ve . The pl a i n l a ngua ge of t he TPLA s o d i c t a t e s , a nd s i nc e i t i s c l e a r a nd una mbi guous we s houl d l ook n o f u r t h e r f or i t s c ons t r uc t i on. Hambl e n Co. Ed. As s ' n. v . Hambl e n Co . Bd . of Ed. , 892 S. W 2d 428, 431- 32 ( Te nn. App. 1994) , Car s on . Cr e e k Va c at i on Re s or t s , I nc . v . St at e , 865 S. W 2d 1, 2 ( Te nn. . 1 9 9 3 ) , Tur ne r v . Har r i s , 281 S. W 2d 661, 665 ( Te nn. 1955) . . The de f e nda nt s a r gue t ha t t he e f f e c t of t he e x t i n g u i s hme nt of W t t ' s c a us e of a c t i on on J ul y 1, 1978, wa s t o ya c r e a t e i n t he m a ve s t e d r i ght t o r e s t i n r e pos e . The r e f or e , t h e y a r g u e , t he a s be s t os e xc e pt i on of 1979 c a nnot r e t r oa c t i ve l y s a v e W a t t ' s c l a i m wi t hout r unni ng a f oul of Ar t i c l e I , Se c t i on 20 o f y t h e Te n ne s s e e Cons t i t ut i on . W a gr e e . e Ar t i c l e I , Se c t i on 20 of t he Te nne s s e e Cons t i t ut i on s t at es [ t ] ha t no r e t r os pe c t i ve l a w, o r l a w i mpa i r i ng t he obl i ga t i ons of c ont r a c t s , s ha l l be ma de . 8 Th e Te nne s s e e Supr e me Cour t , r e ga r di ng " r e t r os pe c t i ve " l a ws , h a s s t a t e d t ha t t he y a r e ge ne r a l l y d e f i ne d, f r om a l e ga l s t a ndpoi nt , a s t hos e whi c h t a ke a wa y or i mpa i r ve s t e d r i ght s a c qui r e d unde r e xi s t i ng l a ws o r c r e a t e a ne w obl i ga t i on, i mpo s e a ne w dut y, or a t t a c h a n e w d i s a bi l i t y i n r e s pe c t of t r a ns a c t i ons or c ons i de r a t i ons a l r e a dy pa s s e d. M r r i s v . Gr os s , 572 S. W 2d 902, 907 ( Te nn. 1978) . o . I t ha s l ong be e n t he l a w i n Te nne s s e e t ha t whe n a c a us e of a c t i on i s ba r r e d by a s t a t ut e o f l i mi t a t i on, i n f or c e a t t he t i me t he r i ght t o s ue a r os e , a nd unt i l t he t i me o f l i mi t a t i on e xpi r e d, t h a t t he r i ght t o r e l y up on t he s t a t ut e a s a de f e ns e i s a ve s t e d r i ght t ha t c a n not be di s t ur be d by s ubs e que nt l e gi s l a t i on. Gi r d ne r v . St e phe ns , 48 Te nn. 280, 286 ( Te nn. 1870) ; s e e al s o He nd e r s on v . For d, 488 S. W 2d 720, 722 ( Te nn. 1972) ; Col l i e r v . . M mp hi s Li ght , Gas & W e r Di v . , 657 S. W 2d 771, 775 ( Te nn. Ap p . e at . 1 9 8 3 ) ; M f or d v . Yong Ky un Cho, 732 S. W 2d 617, 620 ( Te nn. Ap p . or . 1 9 8 7 ) ; Buc kne r v . GAF Cor p. , 495 F. Supp. 351, 353 ( E. D. Te nn. 1979) . Thus , i t i s c l e a r t ha t i n Te nne s s e e a de f e nda nt ha s a v e s t e d r i ght i n a s t a t ut e of l i mi t a t i ons de f e ns e i f t he c a us e of a c t i o n ha s a c c r ue d a nd t he t i me a l l ot t e d ha s e xpi r e d. By a n a l o g y , a de f e nda nt ha s a ve s t e d r i ght i n a s t a t ut e of r e pos e i f t h e t r i gge r i ng e ve nt ha s oc c ur r e d a nd t he t i me e xpi r e d. 9 As we h a v e n o t e d, on J ul y 1, 1978, t he s t a t ut e of r e pos e ope r a t e d t o c u t o f f W t t ' s r i ght t o pur s ue hi s c a us e of a c t i on. ya To a l l ow t h e Ge n e r a l As s e mbl y t o r e vi ve i t r e t r oa c t i ve l y t hr ough t he 19 7 9 a s b e s t o s e xc e pt i on woul d be i mpos i ng a ne w dut y on de f e nda nt s " i n r e s p e c t of t r a ns a c t i ons . . . a l r e a dy pa s s e d, " i n vi ol a t i on of t h e Te n ne s s e e Cons t i t ut i on . Cons e que nt l y, we hol d t ha t t he 1979 a s be s t os e xc e pt i o n c a n n o t be a ppl i e d r e t r oa c t i ve l y t o r e vi ve W t t ' s a l r e a dy- ba r r e d ya c a u s e o f a c t i on. Thi s r e s ul t i s not pl e a s a nt , f or i t me a ns t ha t W a t t ' s c l a i m wa s ba r r e d by t he TPLA be f or e he c oul d be y r a t i o n a l l y e xpe c t e d t o h a ve be e n a wa r e t ha t he s uf f e r e d a n i nj ur y. 8 Howe ve r , i t i s c l e a r t ha t t he l e gi s l a t ur e ha s t he c o n s t i t ut i ona l powe r t o e n a c t s t a t ut e s of r e pos e whi c h, by d e f i n i t i on, ha ve t he pos s i bl e e f f e c t of ba r r i ng a c l a i m be f or e i t a c c r ue s . Se e Jone s , 717 S. W 2d a t 883 ( uphol di ng . c o n s t i t ut i ona l i t y o f TPLA s t a t ut e of r e pos e ) ; Har r i s on v . Sc hr a d e r , 569 S. W 2d 822 ( Te nn. 1978) ; Har mon v . Angus R. Je s s up . As s o c . , I nc . , 619 S. W 2d 5 22 ( Te nn. 1981) . . Fur t he r , i t i s wha t t h e c l e a r a nd una mbi guous l a ngua ge of t he s t a t ut e de ma nds . In i t s 1 9 7 8 e na c t me nt , t he l e gi s l a t ur e c oul d ha ve pl a c e d e xc e pt i on s o n t h e r e pos e s t a t ut e f or pr oduc t s s ol d pr i or t o a c e r t a i n da t e 8 Th i s u n p l e a s a n t r e s u l t i s p e r h a p s wh a t t h e f e d e r a l S i x t h Ci r c u i t wa s f o c u s i n g u p o n wh e n , i n t h e c a s e o f M r p h r e e v . Ra y b e s t o s - M n h a t t a n , I n c . , 6 9 6 u a F . 2 d 4 5 9 , 4 6 2 ( 6 t h Ci r . 1 9 8 2 ) i t p r e d i c t e d t h a t " [ t ] h e Te n n e s s e e S u p r e me Co u r t wi l l n o l o n g e r u s e t h e v e s t e d r i g h t s d o c t r i n e t o p r e v e n t t h e Te n n e s s e e l e g i s l a t u r e f r o m a me l i o r a t i n g t h e h a r s h n e s s o f a r u l e t h a t b a r s a p l a i n t i f f ' s c l a i m be f or e he di s c o ve r s i t . " S e e a l s o Cl a y v . J o h n s - M n v i l l e S a l e s Co r p . , a 7 2 2 F . 2 d 1 2 8 9 ( 6 t h Ci r . 1 9 8 3 ) ; Ca t h e y v . J o h n s - M n v i l l e S a l e s Co r p . , 7 7 6 F . 2 d a 1 5 6 5 ( 6 t h Ci r . 1 9 8 5 ) . Ob v i o u s l y , t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t t h e s e c a s e s d i f f e r f r o m o u r p r e s e n t a n a l y s i s , we e x p r e s s o u r d i s a g r e e me n t wi t h t h e i r h o l d i n g s a n d pr e di c t i ons . 10 o r f o r l a t e nt i nj ur y c a s e s or t he l i ke , but di d not do s o. It is n o t t h e pr e r oga t i ve of t he c our t s t o r e a d i nt o t he s t a t ut e a n e x c e p t i on whe r e none e xi s t s . The wor ds of t he l a t e J us t i c e J o e He n r y o f t he Supr e me Cour t , r e ga r di ng a not he r s t a t ut e of r e pos e , a r e pa r t i c ul a r l y r e l e va nt he r e : W do not e wi t h t he c ons t r ue t hi nk i t ne c e s s a r i l y a gr e e phi l os ophi c a l l y r e s ul t s we r e a c h. W c a n onl y e t he s t a t ut e a s i t i s , n ot a s we ought t o be . W t t s , 525 S. W 2d a t 494. a . W t t a r gue s t ha t a c ons t r uc t i on s uc h a s t he one we ya h a v e a p p l i e d i n t hi s c a s e woul d c r e a t e a c onf l i c t wi t h T. C. A. § 2 8 - 3 - 1 0 4( b) , whi c h s t a t e s , For t he pur pos e of t hi s s e c t i on, i n pr oduc t s l i a bi l i t y c a s e s : ( 1) The c a us e of a c t i on f or i nj ur y t o t he pe r s on s ha l l a c c r ue on t he da t e of t he pe r s ona l i nj ur y, not t he da t e of t he ne gl i ge nc e or t he s a l e of a pr oduc t ; ( 2) No pe r s on s ha l l be de pr i ve d of t he r i ght t o ma i nt a i n a c a us e of a c t i on unt i l one ( 1) ye a r f r om t he da t e of t he i nj ur y; a nd ( 3) Unde r n o c i r c ums t a nc e s s ha l l t he c a us e of a c t i on be ba r r e d be f or e t he pe r s on s us t a i ns a n i nj ur y. A c u r s o r y c ompa r i s on of t he l a ngua ge quot e d a bove wi t h t ha t of T. C. A. § 29- 28- 103( a ) ( " not wi t hs t andi ng any e x c e pt i ons t o t he s e 11 p r o v i s i ons [ whi c h woul d i nc l ude § 28- 3- 104( b) ] . . . i n any e v e nt , t he a c t i on mus t be br ought wi t hi n t e n ( 10) ye a r s . . . " ( e mp h a s i s a dde d) pr ovi de s t he a ns we r t o t ha t c ont e nt i on- - t he r e i s n o c o n f l i c t be t we e n t he t wo s t a t ut e s . IV Be c a us e t hi s c a s e ma y be s ubj e c t t o f ur t he r a ppe l l a t e r e v i e w, we now t ur n t o t he s e c ond i s s ue i n t hi s c a s e : t he c o n s t i t ut i ona l i t y, u nde r Ar t i c l e XI , Se c t i on 8 of t he Te nne s s e e Co n s t i t ut i on, o f t he a s be s t os e xc e pt i on i t s e l f . Tha t c o n s t i t ut i ona l s e c t i on pr ovi de s : The Le gi s l a t ur e s ha l l ha ve no powe r t o s us pe nd a ny ge ne r a l l a w f or t he be ne f i t of a ny pa r t i c ul a r i ndi vi dua l , nor t o pa s s a ny l a w f or t he be ne f i t of i ndi vi dua l s i nc ons i s t e nt wi t h t he ge ne r a l l a ws of t he l a nd; nor t o pa s s a ny l a w gr a nt i ng t o a ny i ndi vi dua l or i ndi vi dua l s , r i ght s , pr i vi l e ge s , i mmuni t i e , [ i m muni t i e s ] or e xe mpt i ons ot he r t ha n s uc h a s ma y be , by t he s a me l a w e xt e nde d t o a ny me mbe r of t he c ommuni t y, who ma y be a bl e t o br i ng hi ms e l f wi t hi n t he pr ovi s i ons of s uc h l a w. No c or por a t i on s ha l l be c r e a t e d or i t s powe r s i nc r e a s e d or di mi ni s he d by s pe c i a l l a ws but t he Ge ne r a l As s e mbl y s ha l l pr ovi de by ge ne r a l l a ws f or t he or g a ni z a t i on of a l l c or por a t i ons , h e r e a f t e r c r e a t e d, whi c h l a ws ma y, a t a ny t i me , be a l t e r e d or r e pe a l e d a nd no s uc h a l t e r a t i on or r e pe a l s ha l l i nt e r f e r e wi t h or di ve s t r i ght s whi c h ha ve be c ome ve s t e d. Th e d e f e nda nt s a r gue , a nd t he t r i a l c our t a gr e e d, t ha t t he a s b e s t o s e xc e pt i on, whi c h s t a t e s s i mpl y t ha t " t he f or e goi ng 12 l i mi t a t i on of a c t i ons [ T. C. A. § 29- 28- 103( a ) ] s ha l l not a ppl y t o a n y a c t i on r e s ul t i ng f r om e xpos ur e t o a s be s t os , " unf a i r l y s i ng l e s o u t a s b e s t os pr oduc e r s a nd s e l l e r s by e xe mpt i ng a s be s t os c l a i ms f r o m t h e s t a t ut e of r e pos e , whi l e a ppl yi ng t he s t a t ut e t o ma n u f a c t ur e r s of pr oduc t s s i mi l a r t o a s be s t os . On t hi s p oi nt , t h e t r i a l c our t s t a t e d t he f ol l owi ng, wh i c h r a t he r s uc c i nc t l y s umma r i z e s t he de f e nda nt s ' pos i t i on: I t doe s not a ppe a r i n t he l e gi s l a t i ve hi s t or y a nd r e c or d f ur ni s he d t o t he Cour t t ha t t he l e gi s l a t ur e ga ve a ny c ons i de r a t i on t o a ny ot he r pr oduc t t ha t pr oduc e d i nj ur y onl y a f t e r pr ol onge d e xpos u r e or f or whi c h t he r e wa s a pe r i od of l a t e nc y be f or e t he ons e t of s ympt oms a nd i nj ur y a nd di s c ove r y of wha t e ve r di s e a s e pr oc e s s ma y ha ve be e n c a us e d by e xpos ur e t o or us e of s uc h pr oduc t s . M e or pa r t i c ul a r l y, not hi ng ha s be e n f ur ni s he d t o t he Cour t . . . t ha t s ugge s t s a ny r e a s on f or t r e a t i ng a s be s t os i s or ot he r di s e a s e c ondi t i ons r e s ul t i ng f r om e xpos ur e t o a s be s t os f r om ot he r di s e a s e s t ha t oc c ur onl y a f t e r pr ol onge d e xpos ur e t o pr oduc t s or whi c h ma ni f e s t a n ons e t of s ympt oms a nd i nj ur y a f t e r a pe r i od of l a t e nc y. . . Fr a nkl y, no s a t i s f a c t or y e xpl a na t i on ha s be e n gi ve n t o t he Cour t why t he l e gi s l a t ur e c hos e t o e xe mpt a s be s t os f r om t h e s t r i c t ur e s of t he Te nne s s e e Pr oduc t s Li a bi l i t y Ac t , d i d not i nc l ude ma nuf a c t ur e r s a n d pr oduc e r s a nd s e l l e r s of ot he r pr oduc t s whi c h we r e t hought t o ha ve a pr ope ns i t y t o c a us e i nj ur y onl y a f t e r pr ol onge d e xpos ur e or f r om whi c h i nj ur y be c a me ma ni f e s t e d onl y a f t e r a pe r i od of l a t e nc y. Th e t r i a l c our t s t r uc k down t he a s be s t os e xc e pt i on a s i mpr ope r c l a s s l e gi s l a t i on. 13 V Te nne s s e e c our t s ha ve l ong r e c ogni z e d t he s i mi l a r i t y b e t we e n Ar t i c l e XI , Se c t i on 8, a nd t he e qua l pr ot e c t i on c l a us e of t h e f e d e r a l Cons t i t ut i on, a nd ha ve t he r e f or e a ppl i e d a n e qua l p r o t e c t i on a na l ys i s t o c ons t i t ut i ona l c ha l l e nge s br ought pur s ua n t t o Ar t i c l e XI , Se c t i on 8 . M l ow v . St at e , 145 S. W 177, 180 ot . ( Te n n . 1912) ; Es t r i n v . M s , 430 S. W 2d 345, 348 ( Te nn. 1968) ; os . Ki ng - Br adwal l Par t ne r s hi p v . Johns on Cont r ol s , I nc . , 865 S. W 2 d . 1 8 , 2 1 ( Te nn. App. 1993) ( " t he Supr e me Cour t of Te nne s s e e ' ha s a d o p t e d a vi r t ua l l y i de nt i c a l e qua l pr ot e c t i on s t a nda r d or a n a l y s i s unde r Ar t i c l e XI , Se c t i on 8 of t he Te nne s s e e Co n s t i t ut i on. ' " ) The de f e nda nt s do not a r gue , nor c oul d t he y, t h a t i n f r i nge me nt of a f unda me nt a l r i ght i s i nvol ve d he r e , or t ha t t he l e gi s l a t ur e h a s c r e a t e d a c l a s s i f i c a t i on i nvol vi ng a " s u s p e c t " o r " p r ot e c t e d" c l a s s , s uc h a s r a c e or na t i ona l or i gi n . Th e r e f o r e , t he s t a nda r d t o be a ppl i e d i s t he f a mi l i a r " r a t i ona l b a s i s " s t a nda r d. Ki ng- Br adwal l , 865 S. W 2d a t 21; . Ci t y of M mp hi s v . I nt e r nat i onal Br ot h. o f El e c . W kr s . U. , 545 S. W 2d e r . 9 8 , 1 0 2 ( Te nn. 1976) ; St at e v . Te s t e r , 879 S. W 2d 823, 828 ( Te n n . . 1994) . The ba s i c a na l yt i c a l pr i nc i pl e s of our e qua l pr ot e c t i o n a n a l y s i s we r e s e t f or t h ove r e i ght de c a de s a go i n t he l a ndma r k c a s e of M l ow v . St at e , 145 S. W 177, 180 ( Te nn. 1912) , a nd t h e y ot . h a v e r e ma i ne d unc ha nge d s i nc e t he n: 14 " ( 1) The e qua l p r ot e c t i on c l a us e of t he f our t e e nt h a me ndme nt doe s not t a ke f r om t he s t a t e t he powe r t o c l a s s i f y i n t he a dopt i on of pol i c e l a ws , but a dmi t s of t he e xe r c i s e of a wi de s c ope of di s c r e t i on i n t ha t r e ga r d, a nd a voi ds wha t i s done onl y whe n i t i s wi t hout a ny r e a s ona bl e ba s i s , a nd t he r e f or e i t i s p ur e l y a r b i t r a r y. ( 2) A c l a s s i f i c a t i on ha vi ng s ome r e a s ona bl e ba s i s doe s not of f e nd a ga i ns t t ha t c l a us e me r e l y be c a us e i t i s not ma de wi t h ma t he ma t i c a l ni c e t y, or be c a us e i n pr a c t i c e i t r e s u l t s i n s ome i ne qua l i t y. ( 3) W n t he c l a s s i f i c a t i on i n s uc h a l a w i s he c a l l e d i n q ue s t i on, i f a ny s t a t e of f a c t s r e a s ona bl y c a n b e c onc e i ve d t ha t woul d s us t a i n i t , t h e e xi s t e nc e of t ha t s t a t e of f a c t s a t t he t i me t he l a w wa s e na c t e d mus t be a s s ume d. ( 4) On e who a s s a i l s t he c l a s s i f i c a t i on i n s uc h a l a w mus t c a r r y t he bur de n of s howi ng t ha t i t doe s not r e s t upon a ny r e a s ona bl e ba s i s , but i s e s s e nt i a l l y a r bi t r a r y. " The s a me r ul e s mus t a ppl y i n di s pos i ng of a que s t i on a r i s i ng unde r Ar t i c l e 1, § 8 of our Cons t i t ut i on of 1870. . . I d . , q u ot i ng Li nds l e y v . Nat ur al Car boni c Gas Co. , 220 U. S. 6 1 , 3 1 S. Ct . 337, 55 L. Ed. 369 ( 1911) . The t ouc hs t one i n de t e r mi n i n g wh e t h e r t he l e gi s l a t ur e ha s dr a wn a pr ope r c l a s s i f i c a t i on i s i t s r e a s o n a bl e ne s s ; a nd a s t he a bove gui de l i ne s de mons t r a t e , t he 15 l e g i s l a t ur e i s gi ve n f a i r l y br oa d l e e wa y, f or whe n a c our t d e t e r mi ne s t ha t a c l a s s i f i c a t i on i s unr e a s ona bl e , i t i s s u b s t i t ut i ng i t s j udgme nt f or t ha t of t he l e gi s l a t ur e , a nd t hi s i t s h o u l d n ot do u nl e s s t he c l a s s i f i c a t i on i s c l e a r l y a r bi t r a r y a n d h a s no r a t i ona l ba s i s . Appl yi ng t he s e p r i nc i pl e s t o t he i ns t a nt c a s e , we c a n n o t s a y t ha t t he Ge ne r a l As s e mbl y' s de c i s i on t o c l a s s i f y a s b e s t os - r e l a t e d c l a i ms d i f f e r e nt l y f r om ot he r l a t e nt - i nj ur y c l a i m i s s o p a t e nt l y a r bi t r a r y a s l a c ki ng a ny r a t i ona l ba s i s . s I t i s p e r ha ps t r ue t ha t t he l e gi s l a t ur e ' s pur pos e mi ght ha ve b e e n b e t t e r or mor e e f f e c t i ve l y s e r ve d by a ge ne r a l e xe mpt i on f or a l l l a t e n t i nj ur y c l a i ms ; howe ve r , t he Te nne s s e e Supr e me Cour t ha s not e d, " . . . t he l a w ne e d not be i n e ve r y r e s pe c t l ogi c a l l y c ons i s t e nt wi t h i t s a i ms t o be c ons t i t ut i ona l . I t i s e nough t ha t t he r e i s a n e vi l a t ha nd f or c or r e c t i on, a nd t ha t i t mi ght be t hought t ha t t he pa r t i c ul a r l e gi s l a t i ve me a s ur e wa s a r a t i ona l wa y t o c or r e c t i t . . . . The l e gi s l a t ur e ma y s e l e c t one pha s e of one f i e l d a nd a ppl y a r e me dy t he r e , n e gl e c t i ng t he ot he r s . . . . The pr ohi bi t i on of t he Equa l Pr ot e c t i on Cl a us e goe s no f ur t he r t ha n t he i nvi di ous di s c r i m na t i on. " i Swa i n v . St at e , 527 S. W 2d 119, 121 ( Te nn. 1975) , quot i ng . W l l i ams on v . Le e Opt i c al of Okl ahoma, 348 U. S. 483, 75 S. Ct . i 4 6 1 , 9 9 L. Ed. 563 ( 1955) . The Supr e me Cour t ' s of t - quot e d s t a t e me nt t ha t " [ i ] t i s n o r e qui r e me nt of e qua l pr ot e c t i on t ha t a l l e vi l s o f t he s a me ge nus be e r a di c a t e d or none a t a l l " i s a l s o 16 a p p o s i t e he r e . Rai l way Expr e s s Age nc y v . Pe opl e of Ne w Yor k, 3 3 6 U. S. 1 0 6, 110, 69 S. Ct . 463, 466 ( 1948) . The a s be s t os e xc e pt i on ha s a l r e a dy wi t hs t ood s e ve r a l v e r y s i mi l a r e qua l pr ot e c t i on c ha l l e nge s . Cour t s i n e a c h c a s e h a v e u p he l d t he e xc e pt i on, f i ndi ng a r a t i ona l ba s i s f or t he c l a s s i f i c a t i on. Spe nc e v . M l e s Labor at or i e s , I nc . , 810 F. Sup p . i 9 5 2 , 9 6 1 ( E. D. Te nn. 1992) ( uphol di ng e xc e pt i on i n f a c e of e qua l p r o t e c t i on c ha l l e nge t ha t a r gue d AI DS pa t i e nt s a nd a s be s t os v i c t i ms a r e s i mi l a r l y s i t ua t e d) ; W ne v . TVA, 730 F. 2d 392, 4 0 4 ay ( 5 t h Ci r . 1984) ( uphol di ng TPLA a s be s t os e xc e pt i on i n f a c e of e q u a l p r ot e c t i on c ha l l e nge a r gui ng e xpos ur e t o l a t e nt - i nj ur yc a u s i n g phos pha t e s l a g s i mi l a r t o a s be s t os e xpos ur e ) ; Koc hi ns v . Li nd e n- Al i mak, I nc . , 799 F. 2d 1128, 1139 ( 6t h Ci r . 1986) ( " we t h i n k t he s t a t ut e ' s e xe mpt i on of a s be s t os - r e l a t e d i nj ur i e s ha s a r a t i o n a l ba s i s i f onl y be c a us e s uc h i nj ur i e s of t e n t a ke c o n s i d e r a bl y l onge r t ha n t e n ye a r s t o ma ni f e s t t he ms e l ve s . " ) c o u r t i n Pot t r at z v . Dav i s , 588 F. Supp. 949 ( D. M d. 1984) , p r e s e n t e d wi t h a n e qua l pr ot e c t i on c ha l l e nge t o a s i mi l a r a s b e s t o s e xc e pt i on i n a n Or e gon s t a t ut e , r e s ponde d wi t h a ve r y a p p o s i t e , i f s ome wha t c hi l l i ng, s t a t e me nt : The r e a s ona bl e ne s s of s t a t ut e s of l i mi t a t i ons a s s pe c i a l l y a ppl i e d t o a s be s t os i s c l a i ms ha s be e n r e pe a t e dl y r e c ogni z e d. [ c i t a t i ons omi t t e d] The l e gi s l a t ur e i s e nt i t l e d t o muc h de f e r e nc e i n t hi s ma t t e r , a nd t he s t a t ut e s houl d be pr e s ume d t o be c ons t i t ut i ona l . It wi l l s i mpl y be not e d t ha t a mong t he ma ny f a c t or s whi c h p l a c e a s b e s t os - r e l a t e d i nj ur i e s i n a c l a s s by t he ms e l ve s , i t i s known t ha t 17 Th e a s be s t os - r e l a t e d di s e a s e s a r e not de pe nde nt upon r e pe a t e d i nha l a t i ons or e xpos ur e s , but upon t he pr e s e nc e of t he f i be r i n t he l ungs f r om pot e nt i a l l y one , i ni t i a l e xpos ur e . [ c i t a t i on o mi t t e d] The r e i s us ua l l y a l ong pe r i od of l a t e nc y of up t o 30 ye a r s be f or e ons e t of t he di s e a s e s . . . Ove r 3000 di f f e r e nt pr oduc t s i n da i l y us e a t one t i me c ont a i ne d a s be s t os , i nc l udi ng t oot h br us he s , i r oni ng boa r d c ove r s , br a ke l i ni ngs , r oof i ng s hi ngl e s , f i r e pr oof i ng a nd i ns ul a t i ng ma t e r i a l . [ c i t a t i on omi t t e d] W t h t he s e f e w i f a c t or s i n mi nd, i t c a n ha r dl y be s a i d t ha t t he r e i s n o r a t i ona l j us t i f i c a t i on f or t he Or e gon l e gi s l a t ur e ' s de c i s i on t o t r e a t a s be s t os c l a i ma nt s di f f e r e nt l y f r om t ha t of ot he r c l a i m nt s . . . a I d. a t 9 55- 56. W a gr e e wi t h a nd a dopt t he Pot t r at z c our t ' s e r e a s o n i ng on t hi s i s s ue . W hol d t ha t t he l e gi s l a t ur e ' s r e me di a l e a c t i o n i n e xc e pt i ng a s be s t os - r e l a t e d c l a i ms f r om t he TPLA' s g e n e r a l s t a t ut e of r e pos e s c he me doe s not of f e nd Ar t i c l e XI , Se c t i o n 8 of t he Te nne s s e e Cons t i t ut i on. Our r e s e a r c h ha s unc ove r e d onl y one c a s e i n c onf l i c t wi t h t h i s c onc l us i on. The Ge or gi a Supr e me Cour t , f a c e d wi t h t h e q u e s t i o n pr e s e nt l y be f or e us i n t he c a s e of Ce l ot e x Cor p. v . St . J o s e p h Hos p. , 376 S. E. 2d 8 80, 882 ( Ga . 1989) , he l d a s i mi l a r Ge o r g i a a s be s t os e xc e pt i on vi ol a t i ve of e qua l pr ot e c t i on. Ho we v e r , t he s um t ot a l of t ha t c our t ' s r e a s oni ng a nd di s c us s i on o n t he ma t t e r i s a s f ol l ows : 18 Thi s a c t s i ngl e s out f or s pe c i a l t r e a t me nt pr ope r t y c l a i ms a ga i ns t ma nuf a c t ur e r s a nd s uppl i e r s of a s be s t os a nd di f f e r e nt i a t e s t he m f r om al l o t he r c l a i ms t ha t mi ght be ba s e d upon ot he r ha z a r dous or t oxi c s ubs t a nc e s . Be c a us e we do not f i nd t hi s s e pa r a t e c l a s s i f i c a t i on t o be r e a s ona bl e , t h e s t a t ut e doe s not me e t c o ns t i t ut i ona l s t a nda r ds . I d. ( e mpha s i s i n or i gi na l ) No c i t a t i on t o a ut hor i t y wa s gi ve n i n s u p p o r t of t hi s s t a t e me nt . W a r e not s o qui c k t o s ubs t i t ut e o u r e j u d g me n t f or t he l e gi s l a t ur e ' s on t hi s ma t t e r a s pe r ha ps wa s t h e Ce l ot e x c our t . Be c a us e we hol d t ha t t he a ppe l l a nt s ' c l a i ms a r e ba r r e d b y t h e t e n- ye a r s t a t ut e of r e pos e i n t he Te nne s s e e Pr oduc t s Li a b i l i t y Ac t of 1 978, we a f f i r m t he j udgme nt of t he t r i a l c ou r t . Th i s c a s e i s r e ma nde d f or t he c ol l e c t i on of c os t s a s s e s s e d be l o w. Co s t s o n t hi s a ppe a l a r e t a xe d a nd a s s e s s e d a ga i ns t t he a pp e l l a nt s . __________________________ Cha r l e s D. Sus a no, J r . , J . CONCUR: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __________________ Ho u s t o n M Godda r d, P. J . . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ___________________ He r s c he l P. Fr a nks , J . 19

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