Mississippi Judge Orders Consolidation of Silica Lawsuits

JACKSON, Miss. - A state court judge in Mississippi has granted a defense motion to consolidate several individual and multi-plaintiff silica cases pending before him. Carter v. American Optical Corp., et al., No. 251-02-85CIV (Miss. Cir. Ct., Hinds Cty.).

Judge W. Swain Werger of the Hinds County Circuit Court entered an order Aug. 28 consolidating all current and future silica claims similar to those alleged in the underlying lawsuits.

According to the defense motion to consolidate filed in late June, several actions entered after the Jan. 22, 2001, filing of Carlis Carter v. American Optical Corp., et al., alleged nearly …