7th Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Conspiracy Claims Against Asbestos Plaintiff Firms on Jurisdiction Grounds

CHICAGO –– The 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court order dismissing conspiracy cases filed against asbestos plaintiff firms, opining that while the underlying claims are “serious and ought to be examined, the Northern District of Illinois is simply the wrong jurisdiction.”

In a June 4 opinion, the 7th Circuit found that the Northern District of Illinois was correct in its assessment that it did not have specific personal jurisdiction over the defendants.

John Crane Inc., as a manufacturer of asbestos-containing products, filed lawsuits in the Northern District of Illinois against a number of plaintiff firms, …