Fla. Court Retains Jurisdiction Over Asbestos Action, Says Crane Co.’s Removal Proper

TAMPA, Fla. – A Florida federal court has retained jurisdiction over an asbestos complaint, finding that Crane Co.’s removal of the suit under the federal-officer removal statute was proper.

In the Jan. 9 order, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, opined that the inquiry was purely jurisdictional and that neither the parties, nor the court, should engage in fact-intensive motion practice or pre-discovery to rule on the motion to remand.

Plaintiff Ralph Donson filed his asbestos-related complaint in state court; Crane Co. later removed the action, citing the federal-officer removal statute. Donson moved to remand. …