Seattle Federal Court Denies Efforts to Remand U.S. Naval Asbestos Exposure Case

SEATTLE –– A Washington federal court has retained jurisdiction over naval asbestos exposure claims, finding that the removing defendants had presented enough evidence to support a colorable federal defense.

In the May 6 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington denied the plaintiffs’ efforts to remand the case back to state court.

Plaintiffs Dale and Janice McMann filed the complaint, contending that Dale McMann’s malignant mesothelioma developed as a result of exposure to asbestos products he encountered when serving as a machinist repairman in the U.S. Navy. In their complaint, the plaintiffs disclaimed any causes of …