Court Severs Claims, Allows Residents and Plaintiffs Alleging Exposure In Miss. To Proceed

JACKSON, Miss. -- The Mississippi Supreme Court has remanded the claims of 76 asbestos plaintiffs for severance, ruling that the six plaintiffs who either live in Mississippi or allege that exposure occurred there can bring claims in the state. Amchem, et al., v. Rogers, et al., No. 2003-IA-00237-SCT (Miss. Sup. Ct.).

The March 17 ruling by the high court effectively reversed an earlier trial court ruling denying the defendants' motions to sever and dismiss or transfer.

According to the Supreme Court, the 76 plaintiffs alleged asbestos exposure in various fields, including farming, automotive, textile, railroad, education and construction industries.

Defendants …