Conn. Federal Court Denies Efforts to Remand Asbestos Claims

HARTFORD, Conn. -- A Connecticut federal court has denied a motion to remand filed in an asbestos case, rejecting efforts by the plaintiffs to cite a provision in their lawsuit expressly disclaiming any claims arising under a federal enclave. Despres, et al. v. Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp., et al., No. 07-1359 (D. Conn.).

In the Sept. 22 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut said that if the plaintiffs wanted to avoid removal, they could have said in their complaint that they only sought damages for actions not linked to contracts with the federal government.

The underlying lawsuit …