Railroads Sue West Virginia Judges Over Asbestos Guidelines

CHALESTON, W. Va. - Four U.S. railroad companies have sued the West Virginia judiciary claiming the state's practice of joining thousands of asbestos cases is unconstitutional and is encouraging the filing of frivolous claims. Norfolk Southern Railway Co., et al. v. Chief Justice Warren R. McGraw, No. n/a (S.D. W. Va.).

The lawsuit, filed Nov. 29 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, further alleges that recent decisions made by certain state judges presiding over the litigation will force the rail companies and other defendants to settle claims that would otherwise be disposed of at trial.