'Powder Coatings' Defendants Fail to Persuade Court to Dismiss Silicosis Claims

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - A federal judge has denied separate motions by manufacturers whose "powdered coatings" are blamed for causing silicosis in a former Eastman Kodak Co. employee. Coene, et ux. v. 3M Co., et al., No. 10-CV-67546-CJS (W.D. N.Y.).

Judge Charles J. Siragusa of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York said in his Aug. 11 order that Robert Coene provided sufficient support under the federal rules for his claim of injury from silica exposure and that additional detail in the claims against the manufacturers can be provided via discovery.

Coene and his wife, Valerie Coene, …