West Virginia Court Remands 2 Asbestos Actions

CHARLESTON, W.Va. –– A West Virginia federal court has remanded two separate asbestos actions after the parties agreed that several defendants named in the action did in fact have principal places of business in the state. Thompson, et al. v. A.O. Smith Corp., et al., No. 12-01798; Little, et al. v. A.O. Smith Corp., et al., No. 12-01800 (S.D. W.Va.).

In the July 5 order, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia said this acknowledgment invokes the forum defendant rule, which precludes removal to federal court.

Plaintiffs Corley E. and Ellen Thompson and Patricia D. and …