Washington Judge Gives Trial Priority to 'Most Serious' Asbestos Cases

SEATTLE - A Washington state court judge recently issued an order that will prioritize asbestos cases to permit the court to identify and try the most serious cases first. In re Asbestos Cases of King County No. 89-2-18455-9 SEA. (Wash. Sup. Ct., King Cty.)

King County Superior Court Chief Asbestos Judge Sharon S. Armstrong's said in her Feb. order that '[t]he court finds it necessary to prioritize the cases for trial according to evidence-based standards that will permit the court in a principled way to identify and try the most serious cases first. Cases in which the plaintiff …