Court Rejects General Electric's Attempts to Remove Asbestos Claims

SCRANTON, Pa. -- A federal court has remanded a former navy worker's asbestos claims, finding that the plaintiff did not allege exposure to the products the defendant claimed were made under government specifications. Williams, et al. v. General Electric Co., et al., No. 04-2762 (M.D. Pa.).

In an Aug. 22 decision, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania found that General Electric provided a limited showing that it was acting under a federal officer, and the claims therefore belong in state court.

Plaintiffs Harry and Beverly Williams claim that Harry's work aboard naval ships exposed him …