Judge Says Manufacturer Acted as Federal Contractor, Denies Remand

CLEVELAND - A manufacturer and supplier of evaporators used aboard naval vessels during World War II acted as a federal military contractor and has satisfied the standard for 'federal officer' removal, a judge ruled in denying a former sailor's motion to remand his asbestos exposure lawsuit. Ferguson, et al. v. Lorillard Tobacco Company Inc., et al., No. 06-10006 (N.D. Ohio).

On Feb. 15, Chief Judge James G. Carr of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio said that evidence provided by Viad Corp. showed that the U.S. Navy mandated detailed specifications for evaporators and that any warnings …