N.J. Court Retains Jurisdiction of Asbestos Suit, Says Removing Defendants Established Colorable Federal Defense

NEWARK, N.J. –– A mesothelioma lawsuit will remain in federal court in light of a District Court ruling that the removing defendants had raised a colorable government contractor defense.

In the July 31 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey wrote that the evidence presented by the defendants was sufficient to establish that a federal agency had approved reasonably precise specifications for the products in question.

The plaintiffs asserted the claims on behalf of Robert Fish, who was allegedly exposed to asbestos-containing joiner panels while working for New York Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company on the …