Maryland Court Retains Jurisdiction over Asbestosis Suit, Finds Colorable Federal Defense Exists

BALTIMORE –– A Maryland federal court has retained jurisdiction over an asbestos-related complaint, finding the defendants had submitted sufficient evidence that they supplied equipment conforming to the U.S. Coast Guard’s specifications.

In the July 2 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland found that the defendants had “stated a colorable federal contractor defense as to at least exposures caused by” purchase orders for marinite-micarta panels.

Plaintiff Tynan Smith alleged in his complaint that he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer, as well as fibrosis and pleural plaques, in 2014. Among the defendants named in the lawsuit …