Maryland Court: Notice of Asbestos Exposure at ‘U.S. Armed Forces’ Sites Not Enough to Trigger Removal Period

BALTIMORE –– A Maryland federal court has denied a motion to remand, finding that the plaintiffs’ notice of asbestos exposure at a U.S. Armed Forces site was not enough to place the defendants on notice that removal was available to them.

In the July 2 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland instead found that the plaintiffs’ reference to a specific U.S. Naval ship was the notice needed to start the 30-day clock of federal officer removability.

The plaintiffs contend in their lawsuit that Frank Houser was exposed to asbestos while stationed at U.S. Armed Forces sites. …