Maryland Court Rejects Challenges to Timeliness of Removal in Asbestos Case

BALTIMORE –– A Maryland federal court has retained jurisdiction over an asbestos action, rejecting the plaintiffs’ position that Foster Wheeler’s removal of the pleading was untimely.

In a Jan. 10 order, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland found that the ships on which the plaintiff allegedly worked were not apparent from within the four corners of the combined discovery materials.

The plaintiffs asserted the claims on behalf of Joseph Morris, contending that his mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos-containing products he encountered while at Bethlehem Steel Sparrows Point Shipyard. Morris was employed at the shipyard …