Md. Court Allows Asbestos Plaintiffs to Disclaim Damages Relating to Crane Co.’s Valves; Case Remanded

BALTIMORE –– A Maryland federal court has allowed asbestos plaintiffs to disclaim all damages relating to alleged exposure from Crane Co.’s valves, for which the defendant had successfully established federal jurisdiction.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland also ruled in its June 6 order that since the remaining claims only relate to the defendant’s Cranite gaskets, for which the defendant had not asserted a federal defense, it no longer could assert jurisdiction over the matter.

The lawsuit was filed by James Joyner, whose 22-year service as an electrician and boiler tender in the U.S. Coast Guard allegedly …