Consolidated Silicosis Case Settles Following Denial of Respirator Company's Summary Judgment Motion

LOS ANGELES - A case that once involved the claims of 51 former mine workers allegedly injured as a result of their exposure to silica dust has settled after a federal district court judge denied motions for summary judgment filed on behalf of one of the respirator defendants. Stewart, et al., v. Mine Safety Appliances Company, et al., No. 01-07635 (C.D. Calif.).

The confidential settlement was reached in February, putting to rest allegations that the plaintiffs' injuries, which included silicosis, pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis, resulted from defects in the respiratory equipment plaintiffs wore to protect themselves from on-the-job dust exposures.