Texas Asbestos MDL Judge Denies Motion to Create 'Inactive' Docket

HOUSTON - The judge overseeing the Texas state asbestos MDL has denied a request by defendants to establish a so-called inactive docket that would have allowed only claims that met certain medical criteria to proceed through court. Union Carbide v. Adams, et al., No. 03-0895 (JPML).

Harris County District Court Judge Mark Davidson entered the order May 7, after determining that the creation of the docket and subsequent refusal of attempts to prepare any case for trial would violate Texas law, as well as the state's Constitution.

Judge Davidson was tapped by the Texas Supreme Court to oversee the consolidation …