Foundry Worker Says Court Ignored 35 Years of Precedent In Silica Decision

MADISON, Wis. - The Wisconsin Court of Appeals defied precedent and adopted a new test for strict products liability law when it ruled recently in a silica case that a sand supplier could not be held liable for injuries suffered by a former foundry worker, a petition seeking review of the decision in the state's highest court now contends. Haase v. Badger Mining Corp., No. 02-1681 (Wis. Sup. Ct.).

According to the petition, which was filed Sept. 5 in the Wisconsin Supreme Court, the appeals court ignored nearly 35 years of product liability precedent when it adopted Section Five of …