Adams v. Alliant Techsystems, Inc.

• Decision Date: 07 May 2002
• Docket Number: Nos. CIV.A.7:99CV00813, CIV. A.7:02CV00135 to CIV.A.7:02CV00138, CIV.A.7:02CV00140 to CIV. A.7:02CV00146, CIV.A.7:02CV00148 to CIV.A.7:02CV00151, CIV. A.7:02CV00153 to CIV.A.7:02CV00163, CIV.A.7:02CV00165 to CIV. A.7:02CV00187, CIV.A.7:02CV00189 to CIV.A.7:02CV00199, CIV. A.7:02CV00446, CIV.A.7:02CV00200, CIV.A.7:02CV00203 to CIV. A.7:02CV00206, CIV.A.7:02CV00208 to CIV.A.7:02CV00228, CIV. A.7:02CV00230 to CIV.A.7:02CV00233, CIV.A.7:02CV00235 to CIV. A.7:02CV00242, CIV.A.7:02CV00244 to CIV.A.7:02CV00256, CIV. A.7:02CV00258 to CIV.A.7:02CV00260, CIV.A.7:02CV00262 to CIV. A.7:02CV00271, CIV.A.7:02CV00273, CIV.A.7:02CV00274, CIV. A.7:02CV00276 to CIV.A.7:02CV00286, CIV.A.7:02CV00288 to CIV. A.7:02CV00292, CIV.A.7:02CV00294, CIV.A.7:02CV00296 to CIV. A.7:02CV00298, CIV.A.7:02CV00301 to CIV.A.7:02CV00312, CIV. A.7:02CV00314 to CIV.A.7:02CV00321, CIV.A.7:02CV00323 to CIV. A.7:02CV00337, CIV.A.7:02CV00339 to CIV.A.7:02CV00345, CIV. A.7:02CV00347 to CIV.A.7:02CV00355, CIV.A.7:02CV00357 to CIV. A.7:02CV00374, CIV.A.7:02CV00376 to CIV.A.7:02CV00381, CIV. A.7:02CV00383 to CIV.A.7:02CV00386, CIV.A.7:02CV00388 to CIV. A.7:02CV00399, CIV.A.7:02CV00402 to CIV.A.7:02CV00411, CIV. A.7:02CV00413, CIV.A.7:02CV00415 to CIV.A.7:02CV00436, CIV. A.7:02CV00438 to CIV.A.7:02CV00445.,s. CIV.A.7:99CV00813, CIV. A.7:02CV00135 to CIV.A.7:02CV00138, CIV.A.7:02CV00140 to CIV. A.7:02CV00146, CIV.A.7:02CV00148 to CIV.A.7:02CV00151, CIV. A.7:02CV00153 to CIV.A.7:02CV00163, CIV.A.7:02CV00165 to CIV. A.7:02CV00187, CIV.A.7:02CV00189 to CIV.A.7:02CV00199, CIV. A.7:02CV00446, CIV.A.7:02CV00200, CIV.A.7:02CV00203 to CIV. A.7:02CV00206, CIV.A.7:02CV00208 to CIV.A.7:02CV00228, CIV. A.7:02CV00230 to CIV.A.7:02CV00233, CIV.A.7:02CV00235 to CIV. A.7:02CV00242, CIV.A.7:02CV00244 to CIV.A.7:02CV00256, CIV. A.7:02CV00258 to CIV.A.7:02CV00260, CIV.A.7:02CV00262 to CIV. A.7:02CV00271, CIV.A.7:02CV00273, CIV.A.7:02CV00274, CIV. A.7:02CV00276 to CIV.A.7:02CV00286, CIV.A.7:02CV00288 to CIV. A.7:02CV00292, CIV.A.7:02CV00294, CIV.A.7:02CV00296 to CIV. A.7:02CV00298, CIV.A.7:02CV00301 to CIV.A.7:02CV00312, CIV. A.7:02CV00314 to CIV.A.7:02CV00321, CIV.A.7:02CV00323 to CIV. A.7:02CV00337, CIV.A.7:02CV00339 to CIV.A.7:02CV00345, CIV. A.7:02CV00347 to CIV.A.7:02CV00355, CIV.A.7:02CV00357 to CIV. A.7:02CV00374, CIV.A.7:02CV00376 to CIV.A.7:02CV00381, CIV. A.7:02CV00383 to CIV.A.7:02CV00386, CIV.A.7:02CV00388 to CIV. A.7:02CV00399, CIV.A.7:02CV00402 to CIV.A.7:02CV00411, CIV. A.7:02CV00413, CIV.A.7:02CV00415 to CIV.A.7:02CV00436, CIV. A.7:02CV00438 to CIV.A.7:02CV00445.
• Citation: 201 F.Supp.2d 700
• Parties: ADAMS, Harry, Agney, Robert N., Aker, Brenda A., Aker, John R., Akers, Allen, Akers, Geneva, Albert, Jane, Albert, Larry K., Albert, Ryoks B., Alderman, Mitchell, Alexander, Claborne, Alger, Gloria, Alley, Randsom D., Allison, Harold, Altizer, Clinton, Amos, Sparrell, Anders, Richard, Andrews, Gene F., Austin, John, Bane, Lewis, Beasley, Ellen M., Bell, Benjamin H., Bell, William A., Bishop, Billy M., Blake, Robert C., Boland, Felix, Boothe, Fayette, Boothe, Garland J., Boyshaw, John, Broce, Cecil R., Brown, James E., Broyles, Jr., Audney B., Buckland, Harvey T., Buckner, Cleven J., Buckner, Edna, Burcett, Douglas F., Burks, Peggy, Caldwell, Carolyn, Carpenter, Walter F., Carroll, Donald E., Cecil, Paul E., Charlton, Annie, Chinault, Robert E., Chrisley, Jerry W., Clark, Elmer L., Clemmons, Clarence J., Cooke, Paul, Cole, Stanley L., Conner, Hattie C., Cook, Jean B., Cox, Sr., William E., Craig, Jr., Herbert, Crawford, Earl S., Crockett, Richard, Crockett, Frederick, Crosier, Donald, Crump, Iris, Cumbee, Gilbert, Dalton, Elden, Dalton, James, Darnell, Larry G., Davidson, Alphonso, Dickerson, Bobby, Dobbins, Douglas, Doss, Sr., Larry, Dowdy, Robert M., Dowell, Thomas S., Dunagan, William, Duncan, Sr., Billy Gene, Duncan, Charles, Duncan, Darrell Lee, Duncan, Linda C., Dunford, George, Dunford, Lee Roy, Dunn, Jackie, Eagle, Harold, Edwards, Walter, Honaker-Elliott, Mary, Epperly, Nancy J., Estep, Larry F., Fain, Early D., Fisher, James K., Flanagan, Homer R., Fleeman, James L., Frye, John T., Gallimore, Gary, Gallimore, Ramsey, Gardner, Cleve T., Gibson, Laura, Giles, Lewis E., Goad, Wiley E., Good, Sr., Lawrence T., Gravely, Bolen E., Griffin, James, Griffin, Zelmer B., Grimes, Thomas, Grimm, Hubert W., Grubb, Jr., John, Hagee, Harold G., Hagy, Richard D., Hall, James G., Hall, Rosa N., Hancock, Jr., Larry, Harless, James P., Hash, Harold D., Hawkins, Calvin, Henley, Troy, Hetherton, Tobie E., Hicks, Larry Joe, Hill, James R., Hobart, C. W., Hinkle, William D., Sr., Holmes, Percy, Jr., Hopkins, Jerry, Hubbard, Robert, Hubbard, Ronald L., Huff, Daniel, Huff, Wayne M., Hutchins, Argel, Hutchins, John G., Hypes, Billy R., Ingo, Gussie L., Jimenez, Horace A., Johnston, Daniel, Jones, Glinna F., Jones, Hester H., Jones, Lyman J., Jr., Jordan, Richard, Kemp, Richard, Kerns, Jessie L., Kimleton, Gracie, King, Mary K., King, John K., Jr., Kinzer, Henry B., Kirk, Harold R., Kittinger, James R., Kroll, Charles B., Kyle, Sam J., Lawrence, James W., Lefew, Archie, Lester, Thompson V., Jr., Lester, Thomas D., Likens, Williams, Lindsay, Henry C., Linkous, Ross, Long, Marvin L., Lucas, Dickey A., Lucas, William L., Martin, Carl K., Martin, David, Martin, Gerald, Martin, Peggy Ann, Martin, William L., McClanahan, James, McCraw, Tomas, Sr., McCraw, Thomas H., Jr., McGrady, James E., McKinney, Sara J., Meade, Billy, Medley, Robert, Miller, Lewis, Miller, Lonnie J., Miller, William, Mills, Nelson, Minnick, Donald, Mitchell, Henry L., Mitchell, Darnell, Mitchell, J. B., Jr., Morehead, Vincent, Morgan, Marie, Morrison, Davies, Moser, Harvey, Myers, John H., Nester, Olen G., Nixon, Anthony, Nofsinger, Reggie, Nolen, Trigg M., Jr., Nunley, Samuel E., Ogle, Lancelot, Pagan, Homer D., Jr., Parker, Bobby L., Parson, Bertha S., Patterson, Macceo, Porter, Walter H., Powers, Carl E., Primm, Clinton E., Quesenberry, Eddie, Quesenberry, Harry, Quesenberry, Roger, Rader, Terry, Ratcliff, Freddie R., Reed, Jean K., Reynolds, James M., Riffey, William E., Jr., Riley, Margaret S., Roberts, Joe N., Robertson, John L., Robinson, John, Robinson, Douglas L., Rosenbaum, Alfred D., Sarver, Alvin, Sarver, Evelyn J., Sarver, Herman L., Scott, Eleanor V., Self, John G., Self, Johnnie Lee, Shelton, Edmond L., Shepherd, Everett, Sherpard, Frank T., Shupe, Cecil T., Shupe, Edsel T., Simerly, Worley E., Simmers, Garnett, Simmons, Richard H., Simpkins, Charles, Simpkins, James, Simkins, Rivto P., Slather, Ronald L., Slaughter, Nathaniel, Slaugher, Richard, Smith, Estel C., Smith, Jerry O., Smith, Pearleane T., Smith, Spracher, Jr., Smith, Lynn, Snyder, William, Soloman, Romey R., Spradlin, Sylvia C., Stables, Cecil M., Stafford, Albert M., Jr., Steele, Fred L., Stone, Champ, Stone, Donald, Stoots, Robert C., Jr., Strader, Lowell P., Jr., Stock, Donald F., Stroupe, Sidney H., Sumner, Carroll M., Sutton, John, Taylor, Charlie A., Taylor, Roy E., Thompson, Betty L., Thompson, Kenneth, Thompson, Roger, Thompson, Emett, Thompson, William D., Thornton, Donald A., Tickle, Kenneth H., Tickle, Lewis N., Truehart, George L., Turman, Hardy Leon, Turner, Emory H., Jr., Turpin, Cecil W., Umberger, Gene, Umburger, Edgar, Vaugh, John R., Vaught, Maury, Vest, Thurman R., Viars, Harry W., Jr., Viars, Olan W., Wade, James C., Wade, Jane, Wade, Owen T., Walker, Quincy, Walls, Charles R., Weavers, John T., Weddle, Allen, Werner, Doris, Whitaker, Ronald, White, Marion D., Whitlock, Ordie, Whitt, Charles D., Wilson, Edward F., Wilson, Gordon, Wilson, Willie Andrew, Wolford, A. W., Woolwine, Luther, Workman, Roy, Worth, Barry, Wright, Gay, Plaintiffs, v. ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS, INC., and Hercules, Inc., Defendants.
• Court: U.S. District Court — Western District of Virginia

Page 700

201 F.Supp.2d 700

ADAMS, Harry, Agney, Robert N., Aker, Brenda A., Aker, John R., Akers, Allen, Akers, Geneva, Albert, Jane, Albert, Larry K., Albert, Ryoks B., Alderman, Mitchell, Alexander, Claborne, Alger, Gloria, Alley, Randsom D., Allison, Harold, Altizer, Clinton, Amos, Sparrell, Anders, Richard, Andrews, Gene F., Austin, John, Bane, Lewis, Beasley, Ellen M., Bell, Benjamin H., Bell, William A., Bishop, Billy M., Blake, Robert C., Boland, Felix, Boothe, Fayette, Boothe, Garland J., Boyshaw, John, Broce, Cecil R., Brown, James E., Broyles, Jr., Audney B., Buckland, Harvey T., Buckner, Cleven J., Buckner, Edna, Burcett, Douglas F., Burks, Peggy, Caldwell, Carolyn, Carpenter, Walter F., Carroll, Donald E., Cecil, Paul E., Charlton, Annie, Chinault, Robert E., Chrisley, Jerry W., Clark, Elmer L., Clemmons, Clarence J., Cooke, Paul, Cole, Stanley L., Conner, Hattie C., Cook, Jean B., Cox, Sr., William E., Craig, Jr., Herbert, Crawford, Earl S., Crockett, Richard, Crockett, Frederick, Crosier, Donald, Crump, Iris, Cumbee, Gilbert, Dalton, Elden, Dalton, James, Darnell, Larry G., Davidson, Alphonso, Dickerson, Bobby, Dobbins, Douglas, Doss, Sr., Larry, Dowdy, Robert M., Dowell, Thomas S., Dunagan, William, Duncan, Sr., Billy Gene, Duncan, Charles, Duncan, Darrell Lee, Duncan, Linda C., Dunford, George, Dunford, Lee Roy, Dunn, Jackie, Eagle, Harold, Edwards, Walter, Honaker-Elliott, Mary, Epperly, Nancy J., Estep, Larry F., Fain, Early D., Fisher, James K., Flanagan, Homer R., Fleeman, James L., Frye, John T., Gallimore, Gary, Gallimore, Ramsey, Gardner, Cleve T., Gibson, Laura, Giles, Lewis E., Goad, Wiley E., Good, Sr., Lawrence T., Gravely, Bolen E., Griffin, James, Griffin, Zelmer B., Grimes, Thomas, Grimm, Hubert W., Grubb, Jr., John, Hagee, Harold G., Hagy, Richard D., Hall, James G., Hall, Rosa N., Hancock, Jr., Larry, Harless, James P., Hash, Harold D., Hawkins, Calvin, Henley, Troy, Hetherton, Tobie E., Hicks, Larry Joe, Hill, James R., Hobart, C. W., Hinkle, William D., Sr., Holmes, Percy, Jr., Hopkins, Jerry, Hubbard, Robert, Hubbard, Ronald L., Huff, Daniel, Huff, Wayne M., Hutchins, Argel, Hutchins, John G., Hypes, Billy R., Ingo, Gussie L., Jimenez, Horace A., Johnston, Daniel, Jones, Glinna F., Jones, Hester H., Jones, Lyman J., Jr., Jordan, Richard, Kemp, Richard, Kerns, Jessie L., Kimleton, Gracie, King, Mary K., King, John K., Jr., Kinzer, Henry B., Kirk, Harold R., Kittinger, James R., Kroll, Charles B., Kyle, Sam J., Lawrence, James W., Lefew, Archie, Lester, Thompson V., Jr., Lester, Thomas D., Likens, Williams, Lindsay, Henry C., Linkous, Ross, Long, Marvin L., Lucas, Dickey A., Lucas, William L., Martin, Carl K., Martin, David, Martin, Gerald, Martin, Peggy Ann, Martin, William L., McClanahan, James, McCraw, Tomas, Sr., McCraw, Thomas H., Jr., McGrady, James E., McKinney, Sara J., Meade, Billy, Medley, Robert, Miller, Lewis, Miller, Lonnie J., Miller, William, Mills, Nelson, Minnick, Donald, Mitchell, Henry L., Mitchell, Darnell, Mitchell, J. B., Jr., Morehead, Vincent, Morgan, Marie, Morrison, Davies, Moser, Harvey, Myers, John H., Nester, Olen G., Nixon, Anthony, Nofsinger, Reggie, Nolen, Trigg M., Jr., Nunley, Samuel E., Ogle, Lancelot, Pagan, Homer D., Jr., Parker, Bobby L., Parson, Bertha S., Patterson, Macceo, Porter, Walter

H., Powers, Carl E., Primm, Clinton E., Quesenberry, Eddie, Quesenberry, Harry, Quesenberry, Roger, Rader, Terry, Ratcliff, Freddie R., Reed, Jean K., Reynolds, James M., Riffey, William E., Jr., Riley, Margaret S., Roberts, Joe N., Robertson, John L., Robinson, John, Robinson, Douglas L., Rosenbaum, Alfred D., Sarver, Alvin, Sarver, Evelyn J., Sarver, Herman L., Scott, Eleanor V., Self, John G., Self, Johnnie Lee, Shelton, Edmond L., Shepherd, Everett, Sherpard, Frank T., Shupe, Cecil T., Shupe, Edsel T., Simerly, Worley E., Simmers, Garnett, Simmons, Richard H., Simpkins, Charles, Simpkins, James, Simkins, Rivto P., Slather, Ronald L., Slaughter, Nathaniel, Slaugher, Richard, Smith, Estel C., Smith, Jerry O., Smith, Pearleane T., Smith, Spracher, Jr., Smith, Lynn, Snyder, William, Soloman, Romey R., Spradlin, Sylvia C., Stables, Cecil M., Stafford, Albert M., Jr., Steele, Fred L., Stone, Champ, Stone, Donald, Stoots, Robert C., Jr., Strader, Lowell P., Jr., Stock, Donald F., Stroupe, Sidney H., Sumner, Carroll M., Sutton, John, Taylor, Charlie A., Taylor, Roy E., Thompson, Betty L., Thompson, Kenneth, Thompson, Roger, Thompson, Emett, Thompson, William D., Thornton, Donald A., Tickle, Kenneth H., Tickle, Lewis N., Truehart, George L., Turman, Hardy Leon, Turner, Emory H., Jr., Turpin, Cecil W., Umberger, Gene, Umburger, Edgar, Vaugh, John R., Vaught, Maury, Vest, Thurman R., Viars, Harry W., Jr., Viars, Olan W., Wade, James C., Wade, Jane, Wade, Owen T., Walker, Quincy, Walls, Charles R., Weavers, John T., Weddle, Allen, Werner, Doris, Whitaker, Ronald, White, Marion D., Whitlock, Ordie, Whitt, Charles D., Wilson, Edward F., Wilson, Gordon, Wilson, Willie Andrew, Wolford, A. W., Woolwine, Luther, Workman, Roy, Worth, Barry, Wright, Gay, Plaintiffs, v. ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS, INC., and Hercules, Inc., Defendants.

Nos. CIV.A.7:99CV00813, CIV. A.7:02CV00135 to CIV.A.7:02CV00138, CIV.A.7:02CV00140 to CIV. A.7:02CV00146, CIV.A.7:02CV00148 to CIV.A.7:02CV00151, CIV. A.7:02CV00153 to CIV.A.7:02CV00163, CIV.A.7:02CV00165 to CIV. A.7:02CV00187, CIV.A.7:02CV00189 to CIV.A.7:02CV00199, CIV. A.7:02CV00446, CIV.A.7:02CV00200, CIV.A.7:02CV00203 to CIV. A.7:02CV00206, CIV.A.7:02CV00208 to CIV.A.7:02CV00228, CIV. A.7:02CV00230 to CIV.A.7:02CV00233, CIV.A.7:02CV00235 to CIV. A.7:02CV00242, CIV.A.7:02CV00244 to CIV.A.7:02CV00256, CIV. A.7:02CV00258 to CIV.A.7:02CV00260, CIV.A.7:02CV00262 to CIV. A.7:02CV00271, CIV.A.7:02CV00273, CIV.A.7:02CV00274, CIV. A.7:02CV00276 to CIV.A.7:02CV00286, CIV.A.7:02CV00288 to CIV. A.7:02CV00292, CIV.A.7:02CV00294, CIV.A.7:02CV00296 to CIV. A.7:02CV00298, CIV.A.7:02CV00301 to CIV.A.7:02CV00312, CIV. A.7:02CV00314 to CIV.A.7:02CV00321, CIV.A.7:02CV00323 to CIV. A.7:02CV00337, CIV.A.7:02CV00339 to CIV.A.7:02CV00345, CIV. A.7:02CV00347 to CIV.A.7:02CV00355, CIV.A.7:02CV00357 to CIV. A.7:02CV00374, CIV.A.7:02CV00376 to CIV.A.7:02CV00381, CIV. A.7:02CV00383 to CIV.A.7:02CV00386, CIV.A.7:02CV00388 to CIV. A.7:02CV00399, CIV.A.7:02CV00402 to

CIV.A.7:02CV00411, CIV. A.7:02CV00413, CIV.A.7:02CV00415 to CIV.A.7:02CV00436, CIV. A.7:02CV00438 to CIV.A.7:02CV00445.

United States District Court, W.D. Virginia, Roanoke Division.

May 7, 2002.

COPYRIGHT MATERIAL OMITTED

John Gregory Webb, Gary Wheeler Kensall, Michie, Hamlett, Lowry, Rasmussen & Tweel, Charlottesville, VA, Charles Richard Cranwell, Cranwell, Moore & Bullington, PLC, Roanoke, VA, Reuben A. Guttman, Brian P. McCafferty, Charles V. Fifth, Provost & Umphrey, Washington, DC, Brent Coon, Provost & Umphrey Law Firm, LLP, Beaumont, TX, for Plaintiffs.

Linda Davis Frith, Nancy Fuller Reynolds, Frith, Anderson & Peake, PC, Roanoke, VA, for Defendants.

MEMORANDUM OPINION

WILSON, Chief Judge.

These are personal injury suits by plaintiffs, employees or former employees at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant ("Arsenal"), against defendants, Alliant Techsystems, Inc. ("Alliant") and Hercules Incorporated ("Hercules"), for hearing loss plaintiffs allegedly suffered while working at the Arsenal. The court has federal question jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1331 because these suits arise out of a federal enclave.¹ Earlier, the court certified potentially dispositive worker's compensation related questions to the Supreme Court of Virginia. Based on that court's answers to the certified questions, Adams v. Alliant Techsystems, Inc., 261 Va. 594, 544 S.E.2d 354 (2001), this court denied defendants' motion to dismiss.² The cases are now before this court on defendants' motion for summary judgment on various grounds. Defendants contend that the Arsenal is a federal enclave not subject to state tort law; that they are entitled to immunity as government contractors; that the Labor Management Relations Act, 29 U.S.C. § 185 preempts plaintiffs' claims; that plaintiffs' claims have not accrued under the Virginia Workers' Compensation Act; that the statute of limitations bars plaintiffs' claims; and that plaintiffs cannot establish "fraudulent concealment" to toll the statute of limitations. For the reasons stated below, the court denies defendants' motion for summary judgment on all grounds except one-the statute of limitations. The court finds that the statute of limitations bars the twentytwo cases listed in Appendix A to the court's opinion and bars all claims against Hercules.

I.

In December 1940, Hercules contracted with the United States Department of War, now the Department of the Army, to construct and operate the Radford Army Ammunition Plant ("Arsenal"). In April 1942, the Commonwealth of Virginia ceded all jurisdiction over the Arsenal to the United States, except jurisdiction to serve process. In March 1995, Alliant assumed the contract between Hercules and the Army to operate the Plant. During defendants' respective tenures operating the Arsenal, government contracts and regulations governed working conditions, including noise levels, at the Arsenal and the products manufactured there.

In May 1952, Hercules entered a collective bargaining agreement ("CBA") with the United Gas, Coke & Chemical Workers Union which represented most of the hourly workers at the Arsenal. In June 1956, Hercules entered a CBA with the Oil, Chemical & Atomic Workers Unions, now the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical & Energy Workers International Union, which has represented most of the hourly workers since that time. The CBAs require defendants to implement and enforce safety guidelines, and an employee who believes his employer is requiring him to work under conditions which are not in compliance with these safety guidelines may file a grievance under the CBA. (See Def.'s Mem. in Supp. of Summ. J., Ex. D-110, ...