N.Y. Court Denies Motion to Remand, Says Asbestos Defendant Crane Co. ‘Easily’ Established Federal Defense

NEW YORK –– A New York federal court has denied an asbestos plaintiff’s motion to remand, concluding that removing defendant Crane Co. had established that it was acting under the direction of the U.S. Navy when it failed to provide warning labels on its asbestos-containing products.

In the Aug. 9 order, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York further found that the defendant had “easily” asserted a colorable government contractor defense.

The underlying asbestos claims were asserted by Robert L. Holliday. Crane Co. removed the action, citing the federal officer removal statute. Specifically, Crane contended …