Oklahoma Silica Suits Consolidated for Pretrial Discovery

OKMULGEE, Okla. - An order has been entered in district court in Oklahoma consolidating seven silica cases filed by employees at two glass manufacturing plants. Blakenship v. ACandS, Inc., et al., No. CJ-2002-781 (Okla. Dist. Ct., Okmulgee Cty.).

The agreed-to order was entered Aug. 27 in Okmulgee County District Court, consolidating the cases for pretrial purposes before one judge.

The cases, which were filed in 2002 had previously been split among two judges. Prior to the entry of the order, Judge Charles M. Humphrey III had been assigned to hear three of the cases, with Judge John Maley presiding …