Fla. Court Reverses Order Exempting Plaintiffs from State's Asbestos Act

MIAMI -- A Florida Court of Appeal has determined a trial court ruling violated the state's newly enacted Asbestos and Silica Compensation Fairness Act by exempting certain plaintiffs from filing written reports required by the act. In re: Asbestos Litigation; Mobil Corp., et al., v. Mallia, et al., No. 3D05-2194 (Fla. 3rd Dist. Ct. App.).

In a June 28 opinion, the Third District Court of Appeal reversed a trial court order that exempted plaintiffs with a trial date prior to the act's start date, ruling that the act was clear in its requirements of written reports.

The defendants sought review …