Car Makers Request in Asbestos Suits Denied

A U.S. appeals court rejected a request by DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. to shift asbestos lawsuits over auto parts made by Federal-Mogul Corp. to federal bankruptcy court in Delaware.

The U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a trial judge’s decision, sending nearly 20,000 personal injury claims back to state courts. The auto makers wanted the suits by workers who claim they got sick from handling asbestos-lined brakes and other auto parts taken together as part of Federal-Mogul’s bankruptcy case. An attorney representing the auto makers said the case would be appealed to the Supreme Court.