PILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) – Judge Eduardo C. Robreno, who oversees an asbestos multidistrict litigation in Philadelphia federal court, has decided that punitive damages awards are permitted in the maritime docket as a matter of law to seamen bringing unseaworthiness asbestos claims against shipowners.

Robreno delivered the opinion addressing punitive damages in maritime cases on July 9 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

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