Louisiana Federal Court Retains Jurisdiction over Asbestos Complaint; Rejects Challenges to Amended Petition

NEW ORLEANS –– A Louisiana federal court has retained jurisdiction over an asbestos case, finding that a recently amended complaint dropping federal claims against one defendant does not mean a second defendant isn’t entitled to a federal forum.

In the Dec. 6 order, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana rejected defense challenges to a magistrate judge’s order allowing the plaintiffs to file an amended pleading, however.

The plaintiffs brought the claims on behalf of Stewart Pitre, whose work as a pipefitter for Avondale Shipyards for nearly 10 years allegedly exposed him to asbestos-containing products. As a …