La. Silica Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint Survives Citgo’s Dismissal Motion

LAKE CHARLES, La. — A Louisiana sandblaster whose first attempt to assert personal injury claims against Citgo Petroleum Corp. was deemed deficient by a federal court has sufficiently alleged claims in an amended pleading to survive a motion to dismiss.

Judge James T. Trimble Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana reached that conclusion June 19 in denying Citgo’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit by Keith Roach.

Roach alleges that he was injured by exposure to silica dust, toxic fibers and other hazards during the 20 years he spent as a sandblaster and painter …