Maryland Federal Court Retains Jurisdiction of Asbestos-Related Suit

BALTIMORE –– A Maryland federal court has retained jurisdiction over an asbestos-related lawsuit, concluding that the defendant had provided “ample support” for the proposition that the U.S. Navy exercised strict control over the products in question.

In the Sept. 29 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland also rejected the plaintiffs’ request to sever the federal claims, saying severance would result in two cases “proceeding simultaneously in two different courts.”

The plaintiffs filed the claims on behalf of Earl J. Rhodes, contending that he was exposed to asbestos-containing products while serving in the U.S. Navy as a …