Calif. Court Affirms Dismissal of Asbestos Claims Against John Crane on Res Judicata Grounds

LOS ANGELES –– A California appellate court has found that res judicata bars plaintiffs from bringing an asbestos action against John Crane Inc. since a federal court had determined in an earlier, separate action that the plaintiffs had failed to sufficiently plead their claims.

In the March 27 opinion, the California 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected the plaintiffs’ contention that the more recent claims filed in state court could proceed since the pleading requirements were different at the federal level.

In August 2010, John and Karen Jones filed an asbestos lawsuit against several defendants, including John Crane …