MDL Court Issues Order in 8 Asbestos Cases Clarifying Stance on Negligence Claims Against Shipbuilder Defendants

PHILADELPHIA –– A shipbuilder defendant can be held liable for negligence under maritime law if it has failed to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances, the Asbestos Products Liability Multidistrict Litigation court has ruled.

The Jan. 29 order from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania was issued in eight underlying cases, all of which involve claims asserting exposure to asbestos in a maritime setting.

“Defendants have not cited –– and the Court has searched for but not identified –– any authority indicating that a shipbuilder is relieved from negligence liability under maritime law, or that …