Insurers Move for Default Against Silica Firm in Bid to Avoid Liability for Judgment

HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Travelers Casualty and Surety Co. and affiliate St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co. have moved for a default judgment against Mississippi Valley Silica Co. in their effort to avoid liability for an underlying $874,732.40 personal injury award.

Gwendolyn Reeves, the plaintiff in the underlying suit and a defendant in the coverage action, asked the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi for leave to respond, and the court granted her motion Oct. 9.

District Judge Keith Starrett ordered Reeves to submit a response of no more than 35 pages by Oct. 25, and he …