Ill. Federal Court Grants Unopposed Motions to Dismiss Filed by 3 Asbestos Defendants

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. –– An Illinois federal court has granted unopposed motions to dismiss filed by three asbestos defendants, agreeing with the companies that the court lacked specific personal jurisdiction over the claims against the defendants.

In the Jan. 19 order, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois found that the defendants’ affiliations with Illinois were not “so continuous and systematic” to justify asserting jurisdiction over the parties.

The plaintiffs asserted in their complaint that William Begin was exposed to asbestos-containing products while serving in the U.S. Navy and, additionally, during his employment with Pennsylvania …