Union Carbide Denied Writ of Certiorari, Will Proceed With 'Phase II Mini-Trials'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Supreme Court has again refused to intervene in the massive West Virginia asbestos case pending against Union Carbide in which the defendant sought to have the punitive damages multiplier a jury assigned to the case thrown out. Union Carbide v. Recht, et al., No. 03-319 (U.S. Sup. Ct.).

Denying Union Carbide's petition for writ of certiorari on Nov. 3 without comment, the nation's highest court effectively fired the starting pistol for the second phase of the consolidated trial, which began more than one year ago and, at the time, involved more than 250 defendants.