Calif. Court Allows U.S. Naval Asbestos Exposure Claims to Proceed Against Crane Co.

LOS ANGELES –– A California federal court has denied Crane Co.’s motion for summary judgment in a U.S. Naval asbestos exposure suit, ruling that the plaintiff has established a triable issue of material fact as to whether the decedent was exposed to asbestos in the defendant’s valves.

In the Aug. 18 order, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California did, however, sever the issue of punitive damages for trial, noting that it is the longstanding practice of the federal asbestos MDL to sever the claim prior to remanding cases for trial.

The plaintiff filed the …