3M Says Silica Criteria Law Prohibits Plaintiff from Bringing New Claims

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - 3M Co. has moved to dismiss a Tennessee silica case, arguing that the claims are time-barred because the plaintiff didn't name the company in a prior complaint that was dismissed for failing to meet the state's minimum medical requirements for silica claims. Walker v. Moldex-Metric Inc., et al., No. 10-164 (E.D. Tenn.).

In a Dec. 8 motion filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, 3M argues that the Tennessee Silica Claims Priority Act does not give plaintiffs the right to extend the statute of limitations indefinitely to add or reinstate claims upon filing …