La. Court Relinquishes Jurisdiction over Asbestos Claims, Dismisses Veterans’ Administration Medical Center

NEW ORLEANS –– A Louisiana court has remanded an asbestos action, finding that cross-claims asserted against the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center should be dismissed and, further, that the court did not have jurisdiction.

In the Dec. 10 order, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana said that since the state court never properly had jurisdiction over the defendant, it does not either.

Lex Whatley asserted the claims, contending that his mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos-containing products. Whatley died after filing the suit and his wife and children filed survival and wrongful death actions.

The suit …