Philadelphia Silica Trials Will be "All Issues," Judge Rules

PHILADELPHIA - The judge overseeing the coordinated docket in Philadelphia County Common Pleas Court has for now agreed to scrap the reverse bifurcation process for upcoming silica trials. In Re Silica, March Term 2003, No. 0001 (Pa. Comm. Pls., Philadelphia Cty.).

Judge Sandra Mazer Moss said Aug. 21 that the first round of silica trials will not be tried in the reverse bifurcated manner that has for years been used to adjudicate asbestos cases in her court.

Defendants in July moved to have the silica cases heard by jurors in a series of "All Issues" trials, which are expected to …