State Supreme Court Requests Plaintiffs' Response to Petition for Review in Landmark Silica Case

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Supreme Court has asked plaintiffs to respond to a petition filed recently by a defendant seeking review of a decision to affirm what is currently the largest jury verdict ever awarded in a silica personal injury case. U.S. Silica Company v. Tompkins, No. 03-0195 (Texas Sup. Ct.).

The state's high court on May 27 requested a response from the family of Donald Tompkins, a former sandblaster who died allegedly as a result of silicosis caused by years of silica exposure. A Jefferson County District Court jury awarded Tompkins' surviving family members $7.5 million in 2001. …