Ill. Federal Court Retains Jurisdiction over Asbestos Claims, Rejects Efforts to Remand

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. –– An Illinois federal court has retained jurisdiction over asbestos claims, finding that removing defendant Crane Co. had sufficiently proven that it has a “plausible” government contractor defense.

In the June 9 order, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois “offered no opinion on the actual viability of Defendant’s federal contractor defense.”

Elaine Mohler asserted the claims on behalf of her husband, Larry, contending that his service as a pipefitter in the U.S. Navy exposed him to asbestos-containing products. As a result of the alleged exposure, Mohler developed mesothelioma, his widow contended.