Ryan M. Krescanko

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    Ryan is a member of the Casualty Department.  He practices in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and devotes his practice to the defense of mass toxic tort matters arising out of exposure to asbestos and benzene.  He handles the defense of mass toxic tort matters from case initiation through negotiation to trial, including pleadings, oral and written discovery, motions practice, and client reporting.  Ryan also represents clients in the areas of Federal black lung and general liability, defending matters involving premises liability, personal injury and commercial litigation.  With over ten years' experience as a litigator, Ryan routinely handles all aspects of litigation from case inception and investigation to trial.

    Ryan attended the University of Pittsburgh graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, with Dean's List honors.  Ryan then attended Duquesne University School of Law where he obtained his juris doctor

    Following graduation, Ryan worked for a Pittsburgh financial services organization with experience in trust and estate specialization.  He then worked for a Pittsburgh law firm for nearly ten years in a diverse practice which included the defense of mass toxic tort matters, employment discrimination cases, general institutional and commercial liability matters, premises liability matters, workers' compensation and federal black lung.  There, he handled all aspects of litigation from case inception through assisting at trial.  Ryan also conducted EEO-mandated employment training, prepared employee handbooks and employment policies, and counseled corporate clients and human resources professionals relative to employment discrimination issues. In addition, he prepared basic estate documents for private clients.

    Ryan was admitted to the bar of Pennsylvania in 2003, and the bar of West Virginia in 2016.

    Ryan is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and Pennsylvania Bar Association.

    Significant Representative Matters

    Summary judgment granted in a mass toxic tort case in which the plaintiff alleged para-occupational exposure to products distributed by a local supplier during the employment of her family members at a steel making facility

    Summary judgment obtained in a mass toxic tort case for a premises client in which the plaintiff alleged occupational exposure to asbestos during his employment at the client's industrial facility.

    Summary judgment obtained in a mass toxic tort case for a client manufacturer where the plaintiff alleged direct occupational exposure to the client's product at a steel making facility.

    Summary judgment obtained in a mass toxic tort case involving a client manufacturer and the plaintiff's allegations of bystander occupational exposure at a steel making facility.

    Summary judgment obtained in a mass toxic tort case in which the plaintiff alleged para-occupational exposure to products distributed by a local supplier during the employment of her family members at a steel making facility.

    Published Works

    "Defending Depositions Against Dying Deponents in Asbestos Litigation," The Legal Intelligencer's "Products Liability, Mass Torts & Class Action Supplement," January 28, 2020

    "New Ruling in Pennsylvania Favors Asbestos Plaintiffs," Weightmans LLP Occupational Disease newsletter, December 2019

    “Paying Your Fair Share After Roverano v. John Crane,” Defense Digest, December 2018, Vol. 24, No. 4

    Admissions
    Pennsylvania
    2003
    U.S. District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
    2003
    U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
    2010
    U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit
    2010
    West Virginia
    2016
    U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia
    2016
    Education
    Duquesne University School of Law (J.D., 2002)
    University of Pittsburgh (B.A., 1999)
    Associations & memberships
    Allegheny County Bar Association
    Pennsylvania Bar Association
    Year joined
    2017