Foreign Insurers May Be Sued in New Jersey for Coverage of Asbestos Claims, Federal Judge Rules

NEWARK, N.J. - A group of Australian and European insurers have failed in their bid to have a suit filed in U.S. District Court in New Jersey by an Australian asbestos exporter who is seeking coverage of asbestos claims dismissed on the ground of lack of personal jurisdiction or forum non conveniens. CSR Limited and CSR America Inc. et al. v. Federal Insurance Co. et al., No. 95-2947 (HAA) (D. N.J.).

U.S. District Judge Harold A. Ackerman held on April 24 that the defendant liability insurers whose policy territory covered the forum state of New Jersey had "minimum contacts" with …