Maryland Federal Court Retains Jurisdiction of Asbestos Case, Rejects Motion to Remand

BALTIMORE –– A Maryland federal court has retained jurisdiction over an asbestos case, finding that the removing defendant had “plausibly” alleged the three elements of the government contractor defense.

In the May 5 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland denied the plaintiff’s motion to remand, concluding in part that the defendant had alleged that the U.S. Navy knew about asbestos hazards.

Plaintiff John C. Dugger Jr. asserted the claims on behalf of his father, John C. Dugger Sr., contending that his service in the U.S. Navy during the 1960s caused him to come into contact …