W.Va. Judge Rejects 3M's 'Related To' Argument, Bid to Transfer Asbestos Claims

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A federal judge in West Virginia has returned more than 300 asbestos claims filed against Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. (3M) back to state court after denying claims that they were related to the bankruptcy proceedings of Plibrico Co. In Re: Asbestos Litigation, Nos. 2:02-0531 to 2:02-0835 (S.D. W.Va.).

Judge David A. Faber of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia remanded the claims against 3M to the Kanawha County Circuit Court in his Aug. 6 opinion and order. Judge Faber found the respirator maker and asbestos defendant's argument was similar to one …