Maritime Statute Precludes Shipbuilders' Asbestos Claims Against Employers

SEATTLE - A state appeals court has upheld the dismissal of asbestos-related tort claims that two former shipyard workers filed against their employers after it had been determined that the plaintiffs were entitled to federal maritime workers' compensation benefits. Gorman, et al. v. Lockheed Shipbuilding, et al., No. 52188-8-1 (Wash. Ct. App.).

On May 3, the Washington Court of Appeals ruled that the plaintiffs' state law claims against their employers are precluded by a section of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act that deals with claims filed by workers who have a right to compensation under maritime or federal …