Ill. Federal Court Denies Defense Efforts to Throw Out U.S. Naval Exposure Claims

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. –– An Illinois federal court has denied an asbestos defendant’s motion to dismiss, opining that, at this point of the litigation, the plaintiff has stated claims that “are plausible on its face.”

In the March 5 order, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois said that the plaintiff had given specific locations, states and time periods, “allowing Defendants ample notice in order to build a defense.”

Plaintiff Van L. Hall asserted the claims, contending that he was exposed to asbestos fibers over a nearly 20-year period. During this time, Hall served in the …