Ill. Judge Rejects Attempt to Dodge 7th Circuit Mandate on Navy Asbestos Claims

CHICAGO — A judge in Illinois recently ruled that her federal court has jurisdiction over a lawsuit brought against Crane Co. for the company’s alleged failure to warn of dangers associated with asbestos-containing valves manufactured for use on Naval ships.

U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis of the Northern District of Illinois denied a motion to remand the case to state court on April 28, refusing to depart from a recent 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals decision that kept similar claims in federal court based on the defendant’s assertion of a viable government contractor defense.

Crane Co. was among …