Brantley v. Borg-Warner Morse Tec, Inc. (2012)

Our plain-English summary of Brantley v. Borg-Warner Morse Tec, Inc. (U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, May 3, 2012).

Gerald Brantley sued Westinghouse and other defendants in San Diego Superior Court, alleging he developed mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos-containing Westinghouse turbines while serving in the U.S. Navy. The complaint says his only ship was the USS Fort Marion, which had Westinghouse propulsion turbines that other parties later insulated with asbestos-containing materials. He claimed failure to warn and design defect under state law, and disclaimed any claim based on acts done at a federal officer's direction. The defendants removed the case to federal court under the federal officer removal statute, and Brantley asked for it to be sent back. The court denied the motion. It held that the disclaimer did not control, because removal depends on the federal defense. It found Westinghouse was a corporate person under the statute and had acted under the Navy's direct and detailed control, based on affidavits that Navy specifications required asbestos and governed warnings. It also found a causal nexus and a colorable military contractor defense, which does not have to be a winning one at this stage.

We wrote this summary from the court's opinion with the help of AI. It is not the court's wording, and it is not legal advice. The full opinion is below.

The decision

• Court: U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
• Decided: May 3, 2012
• Stage: Jurisdiction, venue or removal
• State: California

Outcome. The court denied Gerald Brantley's motion to remand, holding that Westinghouse and its co-defendants properly removed the case under the federal officer removal statute.

What the court held. A defendant may remove under the federal officer removal statute if it is a person, acted under a federal officer's direction, has a causal nexus to the claims, and raises a colorable federal defense. A plaintiff's disclaimer of claims arising from acts at a federal officer's direction does not defeat removal.

Issues decided: Design Defect, Failure to Warn, Government Contractor Defense and Removal, Venue, Removal and Transfer.

The people and their exposure

• Gerald Brantley: mesothelioma

Who	Work	Where	When	Products
Gerald Brantley	served in the United States Navy (the Navy); military service	USS Fort Marion		pipe and block insulation, Westinghouse propulsion turbines

The defendants

• Borg-Warner Morse Tec, Inc.
• Westinghouse (CBS Corp.) (manufacturer)

Decisions this opinion cites

Earlier decisions in our library that the court cited:

• Sawyer v. Fibreboard Corp. (In re Hawaii Federal Asbestos Cases) (U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1991). The Ninth Circuit affirmed the judgments entered on jury verdicts for the plaintiffs in all four cases, rejecting the appeals of Fibreboard and Owens-Illinois.
• Machnik v. Buffalo Pumps Inc. (U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, 2007). The court denied Machnik's motion to remand to state court, finding that General Electric had justified federal officer removal, so the case stayed in federal court.
• Nesbiet v. General Electric Co. (U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, 2005). The court denied Nesbiet's motion to remand to state court, holding that General Electric properly removed the case under the federal officer removal statute, and ruled GE's stay motion moot.

The court's opinion

The text below is Google Scholar's copy of the court's opinion, a public record. Numbers in brackets, such as [*921], mark where each page of the printed reporter begins.

GERALD BRANTLEY, Plaintiff,

v.

BORG-WARNER MORSE TEC, INC.; ET AL, Defendants.

Civil No. 3:12cv540 AJB (JMA).

May 3, 2012.

United States District Court, S.D. California.

ORDER DENYING MOTION TO REMAND

ANTHONY J. BATTAGLIA, District Judge.

The Plaintiff filed a motion to remand, Doc. No. 15, on March 27, 2012. The Defendants filed an opposition, Doc. No. 25, and the Plaintiff filed a reply, Doc. No. 27.[1] The hearing set by Judge Moskowitz for April 20, 2012 was vacated by Judge Battaglia, Doc. No. 24, and upon review of the parties moving papers, the Court finds this motion appropriate for submission on the papers without oral argument pursuant to Civil Local Rule 7.1.d.1. For the reasons set forth below, the Plaintiff's motion to remand, Doc. No. 15, is hereby DENIED.

Background

The Plaintiff, Gerald Brantley, originally filed this action in San Diego Superior Court on January 30, 2012. Plaintiff alleges that "he developed mesothelioma as a result of exposure to CBS's asbestos-containing Westinghouse turbines while serving in the United States Navy." (Plaintiff's Memorandum, p. 2). He brought the instant action against Westinghouse "seeking damages for [Westinghouse's] failure to warn and design defect under state law product liability theories." Id. According to his complaint, the only ship on which he served while in the Navy was the USS Fort Marion (Plaintiff's Complaint ("Complaint''), Exh. A), which was outfitted with Westinghouse propulsion turbines that were later insulated with asbestos-containing materials by other parties.

The Plaintiff has expressly disclaimed any cause of action or recovery against Defendants for any injuries resulting from exposure to asbestos caused by any Defendant acting at the direction of an officer of the United State Government. Defendants removed the case to this Court on March 2, 2012, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1442(A)(1). [Doc. No. 1.] On March 27, 2012, the Plaintiff filed a motion to remand this action to state court. [Doc. No. 15.]

Discussion

Plaintiff asserts two main grounds for remand: (1) that the removal was precluded by a disclaimer that purports to defeat removal; and (2) that this Court lacks jurisdiction because Westing-house cannot prove the elements of federal officer jurisdiction as set forth in Mesa v. California, 489 U.S. 121 (1989).

I. Legal Standard on Motion to Remand

Defendant removed of this case pursuant to § 1442(a)(1), under which a state civil action may be removed to federal court by "any officer. . . of the United States or of any agency thereof, sued in an official capacity for any act under color of such office." 28 U.S.C. § 1442(a)(1). A party seeking removal under § 1442(a)(1) must demonstrate: (1) that it is a person within the meaning of the statute, (2) that it acted under the direction of a federal officer, (3) a causal nexus between plaintiffs' claims and acts it performed under color of federal office, and (4) a colorable federal defense to plaintiffs' claims. Mesa v. California, 489 U.S. 121, 124-25, 134-35, 109 S.Ct. 959, 103 L.Ed.2d 99 (1989); Fung v. Abex Corp., 816 F.Supp. 569, 571-72 (N.D.Cal.1992).

Generally, there is a strong presumption against removal jurisdiction and, as a result, removal statutes are to be strictly construed against removal and defendants have the burden of establishing that removal jurisdiction is proper. See Gaus v. Miles, Inc., 980 F.2d 564, 566-67 (9th Cir.1992). Federal officer removal, however, is an exception to this general rule. Because the federal government can act only through its officers and agents, it would be difficult to find those to act on its behalf if it did not guarantee its officers and agents access to a federal forum. Durham v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 445 F.3d 1247, 1253 (9th Cir.2006) (citing Tennessee v. Davis, 100 U.S. 257, 263, 25 L.Ed. 648 (1880)). Therefore, "when federal officers and their agents are seeking a federal forum, we are to interpret section 1442 broadly in favor of removal." Id. at 1252.

II. Plaintiff's Disclaimer Does Not Negate Federal Jurisdiction

In his state court complaint, Mr. Brantley expressly disclaims "any cause of action or claim for injuries caused by any exposure to asbestos dust that caused by any acts or omissions of a party defendant committed at the direction of an officer of the United States Government." (Complaint, attached as Exhibit "A" to the Declaration of Rebecca A. Cucu, p. 3, ¶ 4:18-21.) As a result of this disclaimer, the Plaintiff argues that Defendants' removal to this Court is unwarranted because there is no subject matter jurisdiction. However, despite this disclaimer, the Plaintiff still seeks damages arising out of his exposure to asbestos in and around the Westinghouse turbines produced by Defendants while serving in the United States Navy aboard the USS Fort Marion. As explained below, Defendants can assert a federal defense. "Because removals pursuant to the federal officer removal statute are premised on the existence of a federal defense, rather than a plaintiff's artfully constructed complaint, neither Plaintiff's disclaimer nor its characterization of their claims are determinative." Oberstar v. CBS Corp., 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14023, at [*8] (C.D. Cal. Feb. 11, 2008) (citing Machnik v. Buffalo Pumps Inc., 506 F. Supp.2d 99, 103 n. 1 (D. Conn. 2007)). Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds that the Plaintiff's disclaimer is not determinative of whether federal jurisdiction is proper.

III. Removal Is Proper Because Defendants Have Satisfied the Mesa Factors

In order to obtain removal under § 1442(a)(1), Defendants must demonstrate: (1) that they are person(s) within the meaning of the statute, (2) that they acted under the direction of a federal officer, (3) a causal nexus between Plaintiffs' claims and acts they performed under color of federal office, and (4) a colorable federal defense to Plaintiffs' claims. Mesa v. California, 489 U.S. 121, 124-25, 134-35, 109 S.Ct. 959, 103 L.Ed.2d 99 (1989); Fung v. Abex Corp., 816 F. Supp. 569, 571-72 (N.D. Cal.1992).

A. Westinghouse Is a Person Within the Meaning of the Statute

Defendants must demonstrate that it qualifies as a person within the meaning of the statute in order to seek removal pursuant to it. A "`purely legal person such as a corporation could be engaged in activities that amount to the implementation of a federal policy under the direction of a government officer' such that state court suits against those corporations could disrupt the execution of federal law." Fung, 816 F. Supp. at 572 (quoting Ryan v. Dow Chemical Co., 781 F. Supp. 934, 946 (E.D.N.Y. 1992)). Therefore, Westinghouse, as a corporation, is a person within the meaning of 28 U.S.C. § 1442(a)(1).

B. Westinghouse Acted Under the Direction of a Federal Officer

The Defendants must show that Westinghouse's actions were sufficiently controlled by a federal officer such that Westinghouse's liability arising from such actions needs to be adjudicated in federal court. Defendants must show that the Navy had "direct and detailed control" over it. Id. In Fung, direct and detailed control was shown where the federal government contracted with the defendant to build submarines, monitored defendant's performance, ensured complete conformity by defendant with design specifications, and "required the defendant to construct and repair the vessels in accordance with the applicable and approved specifications incorporated into the contracts." Id. at 572-73. Despite the Plaintiff's contentions to the contrary, the Court finds that the Defendants have provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Westinghouse manufactured propulsion turbines for United States Naval ships in compliance with detailed

Navy specifications which, during the years in question, required the use of asbestos. See Nov. 23, 2010 Affidavit of James M. Gate ("Gate Aff."), ¶¶ 5-29, attached to the Declaration of Previn A. Wick as "Exhibit A" The Navy specified all relevant aspects of the design of such turbines, including the choice of materials used in their manufacture. (Gate Aff. ¶ 7). Navy officers enforced conformance to those specifications at Westinghouse's plant, and Westinghouse had no ability to deviate from those specifications without Navy approval. (Id). The Navy control extended throughout the turbines' manufacture, testing, and acceptance. (Id ¶¶ 16-29). Thus, Westinghouse's Navy turbines were not "off-the-shelf" products; Westinghouse custom-designed them to meet exacting Navy specifications, and the Navy accepted them as complying with those specifications only after thorough testing. (Id ¶¶ 13, 19-20 & 24-29). This level of control applied equally to warnings, as whether certain equipment used aboard Naval vessels should have warnings, and the content and format of those warnings was determined solely by the Navy. See Nov. 26, 2010 Affidavit of Roger B. Home, Jr. RADM USN (Ret.) ("Horne Aff.") at ¶¶ 1, 16-18, 20-22, and 34, attached to the Declaration of Previn A. Wick as "Exhibit B" (stating that Westinghouse could not supply any warnings that the Navy did not specifically authorize or approve because such warnings were subject to detailed Navy design specifications ("MilSpecs") and were closely inspected by Navy officers who rejected any equipment that did not fully comply with its MilSpecs).

Under similar circumstances, other courts have held that there was indeed a direct and detailed control over military contractors. In another asbestos action in the Central District of California, the court reviewed similar declarations and concluded that the declaration "raised `the inference that [defendant] did not provide a warning concerning the dangers of asbestos because the Navy did not permit any such warning.'" Oberstar, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14023, at * 12 (quoting Nesbiet v. General Elec. Co., 399 F. Supp.2d 205, 208 (S.D.N.Y. 2005)).

Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds that the Gate and Horne declarations are sufficient to meet Defendants burden of demonstrating direct and detailed control. To demand more evidence than these declarations would "frustrate the purpose of section 1442(a)(1)." Ballenger v. AGCO Corp., 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 47042, at [*10]-11 (C.D. Cal. June 22, 2007). Therefore, Westinghouse meets its burden of showing direct and detailed control by the Navy and a lack of discretion on Westinghouse's part to place asbestos warnings on the products that they delivered to the Navy.

C. There Is a Causal Nexus

Next, Defendants must show that there is a causal nexus between Westinghouse's acts under color of federal office and Plaintiffs' claims. The Plaintiff argues that Defendants have failed to establish a causal nexus between what the Navy allegedly instructed Westinghouse to do and the Plaintiffs' claims for failure to warn against asbestos exposure and design defects under state law product liability theories. However, as explained above, Westinghouse has provided sufficient evidence to show that it acted under the direct and detailed control of the Navy, and that the Navy prohibited Westinghouse from placing any unauthorized asbestos warnings on its products. Based upon the foregoing, the Court finds that the Defendants have demonstrated a sufficient causal nexus exists between Westinghouse's actions pursuant to the Navy's control and Plaintiffs' claims.

D. Defendants Raise a Colorable Federal Defense to the Plaintiff's Claims

Defendants must show that they have a colorable federal defense. See Mesa, 489 U.S. at 128; Fung, 816 F. Supp. at 573. Pursuant to the Durham policy favoring removal for federal officers, a defendant does not need to show a valid or likely successful federal defense, but merely a colorable one. Id.; Durham, 445 F.3d at 1252. Recognizing that "one of the most important reasons for removal is to have the validity of the defense of official immunity tried in a federal court," the Supreme Court rejected a "narrow, grudging interpretation" of § 1442(a)(1), rejecting the notion that the officer must virtually "win his case before he can have it removed." Jefferson County v. Acker, 527 U.S. 423, 431, 119 S.Ct. 2069, 144 L. Ed.2d 408 (1999) (quoting Willingham v. Morgan, 395 U.S. 402, 407, 89 S.Ct. 1813, 23 L.Ed.2d 396 (1969)).

In this case, the Defendants invoke the military contractor defense, which shields military contractors from state tort law liability for defects in military equipment supplied to the United States when: "(1) the United States approved reasonably precise specifications; (2) the equipment conformed to those specifications; and (3) the supplier warned the United States about the dangers in the use of the equipment that were known to the supplier but not to the United States." Boyle v. United Tech. Corp., 487 U.S. 500, 512, 108 S.Ct. 2510, 101 L.Ed.2d 442 (1988). Because the military contractor defense is an

affirmative defense, Defendants bear the burden of establishing it. See Snell v. Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., 107 F.3d 744, 746 (9th Cir.1997).

The Ninth Circuit held that the military contractor defense exists because:

the military makes highly complex and sensitive decisions regarding the development of new equipment for military usage. Allowing the contractors who are hired to manufacture that equipment to be sued for the injuries caused by it would impinge unduly on the military's decision making process.

Id. at 811. However:

[t]hese same concerns do not exist in respect to products readily available on the commercial market. The fact that the military may order such products does not make them "military equipment." The products have not been developed on the basis of involved judgements made by the military but in response to the broader needs and desires of end-users in the private sector.

Id. Therefore, "[w]here the goods ordered by the military are those readily available, in substantially similar form, to commercial users, the military contractor defense does not apply." Id. Based on the record before it, the court in Snell found that the asbestos insulation sold to the military did not constitute "military equipment" because the insulation was sold on the ordinary commercial market. Id. at 812.

In the instant case, Westinghouse manufactured propulsion turbines for the Navy, in compliance with detailed Navy specifications which, during the years in question, required the use of asbestos. See Nov. 23, 2010 Affidavit of James M. Gate ("Gate Aff."), pages 5-29, attached to the Declaration of Previn A. Wick as "Exhibit A". The Navy specified all relevant aspects of the design of such turbines, including the choice of materials used in their manufacture. (Gate Aff. ¶ 7). Navy officers enforced conformance to those specifications at Westinghouse's plant, and Westinghouse had no ability to deviate from those specifications without Navy approval. (Id). Navy control extended throughout the turbines' manufacture, testing, and acceptance. (Id. ¶¶ 16-29). Thus, Westinghouse's turbines were not "off-the-shelf" products. Westinghouse custom-designed them to meet precise Navy specifications, and the Navy accepted them as complying with those specifications only after thorough testing. (Id. ¶¶ 13, 19-20, and 24-29).

The Court finds the Plaintiff reliance on In re Hawaii Federal Asbestos Cases, for the argument that Defendants are precluded from relying on military contractor defense misplaced.[2] See Plaintiff's Reply, Doc. No. 27, at 11-12. While the Defendants have not necessarily established a valid federal defense, they need not prove so much at this preliminary stage of the proceedings. "Again, to establish the propriety of their removal, defendants must only show a `colorable' federal defense, not a winning one." Oberstar, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14023, at [*13]. In sum, the Defendants have shown that Westinghouse was a person that acted under the direction of a federal officer, there is a causal nexus between its actions and Plaintiffs' claims, and it can assert a colorable federal defense. Therefore, federal officer jurisdiction is proper under § 1442(a)(1).

Conclusion

For the reasons set forth above, the Plaintiff's motion to remand, [Doc. No. 15], is hereby DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

[1] The Plaintiff also separately filed evidentiary objections, Doc. No. 27-7, without leave of Court as a separately filed motion, which was subsequently stricken for non-compliance. See Doc. No. 28.

[2] In re Hawaii Federal Asbestos Cases, 960 F.2d 806 (9th Cir. 1992). The In re Hawaii case was an appeal of a jury verdict, which involved the denial of the Defendants' asserted military contractor defense.

Sources

• The opinion on Google Scholar
• California asbestos laws
• California asbestos exposure sites