Maryland Court Finds Hexavalent Chromium Claims Barred by Statute of Repose

BALTIMORE –– A Maryland federal court has found that a chromium exposure suit is “clearly barred” by the state’s statute of repose, which bars causes of action related to any improvement in real property, “not solely those improvements comprised of non-hazardous materials.”

In the Sept. 21 ruling, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, said that the legislative history of the state’s statute of repose confirms that this “broad scope” is appropriate.

The plaintiffs asserting the claims contend that John G. Leichling was exposed to hazardous chromium ore processing residues (COPR) at the Dundalk Marine Terminal, a marine …