Louisiana Court Retains Jurisdiction over Asbestos Claims, Says Defendant Established Colorable Federal Defense

NEW ORLEANS –– A Louisiana federal court has retained jurisdiction over an asbestos suit after determining that the defendants had established a colorable federal defense by submitting affidavits establishing that the majority of the ships built at the shipyard were built “pursuant to contracts with the federal government….”

In the June 2 order, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana additionally cited evidence that the government was aware of asbestos dangers and that Avondale was not responsible for presenting its own warning as grounds for its conclusion.

Plaintiff Joseph Savoie worked at the Avondale Shipyard in Louisiana …