Texas Judge to Address Dispute over Ownership of Patient Tissue Samples

HOUSTON -- The Texas Asbestos MDL judge is scheduled to conduct a hearing that will address a motion for a protective order filed by a local hospital, which claims that it -- not the patient -- is the owner of original tissue samples taken from asbestos plaintiffs. In re: MDL Asbestos Litigation, No. 2004-03964 (Texas 11th Jud. Dist. Ct., Harris Cty.).

According to a recent scheduling order, MDL Judge Mark Davidson will hold a litigation-wide hearing during which he will address claims by the hospital that releasing the pathology materials to experts retained by asbestos plaintiffs will jeopardize their integrity.