Missouri Court Retains Jurisdiction of Bricklayer’s Asbestos Suit, Says Removal Was Timely

ST. LOUIS –– A Missouri federal court has retained jurisdiction over a bricklayer’s asbestos complaint, finding that the removal –– based on the federal officer removal statute –– was not untimely.

In the May 27 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri opined that an email exchange and request for production did not make the availability of federal office removal clear.

The plaintiffs asserted the claims on behalf of John Patrico, contending that while employed as a bricklayer for nearly 60 years, the decedent was exposed to asbestos-containing products.

Defendant Mallinckrodt removed the …