N.Y. Federal Court Retains Jurisdiction of Asbestos Claims Asserted Against Crane Co.

ALBANY, N.Y. –– A New York federal court has retained jurisdiction over an asbestos case, saying that defendant Crane Co. had submitted enough evidence to satisfy the elements of raising a colorable federal defense.

In the Jan. 9 order, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York denied the plaintiff’s motion to remand, opining that “if it later becomes evidence that the relevant facts developed in the litigation do not support jurisdiction, the action can be dismissed and remanded.”

Kenneth Gates filed the underlying claims, contending that he was exposed to asbestos-containing products manufactured by a number …