MDL Court Rejects Claims of Maritime Plaintiffs with Pleural Changes

PHILADELPHIA –– The judge overseeing the federal asbestos multi-district litigation has dismissed 1,679 maritime cases asserted by plaintiffs that have only presented evidence of pleural changes, saying that allowing an asymptomatic plaintiff to collect damages would be contrary to public policy. In re: Asbestos Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 875 (E.D. Pa.).

In its Aug. 7 order, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania granted motions to dismiss claims asserted by plaintiffs who have not suffered a physical impairment, including pleural changes. The federal court did deny efforts by defendants to dismiss claims that involve asbestos-related malignant …