Parties Trade Argument Over Request to Depose Screeners, Doctors

OAKLAND, Calif. - Plaintiffs in the California silica litigation have asked a judge to deny a defense request to force depositions of several so-called screening doctors that the defendants claim were responsible for diagnosing the plaintiffs with silica-related injuries. Brown v. Lone Star Industries Inc., et al., No. RG05210447 (Calif. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty.).

In a case management statement filed March 20 in Alameda County Superior Court, the plaintiffs argue that defendants should not be permitted to take the depositions because they aren't relying on the screeners' opinions to support their silica claims.

Defendants asked the court to permit them …