Philadelphia Silica Claims Barred by Sophisticated User, Defendants Claim

PHILADELPHIA - Defendants in the Philadelphia silica litigation have filed a brief arguing that the plaintiffs' allegations of strict liability and negligence should be discarded because they fail to meet the threshold showing that silica is a dangerous product and because the sophisticated user doctrine applies to the cases. In Re: Silica Products Liability Litigation, PCCP - March Term, 2003, No. 0001 (Pa. Comm. Pls., Philadelphia Cty.).

In a letter filed with the court on Nov. 7, the defendants contend that documents filed so far on behalf of the nearly 100 plaintiffs with silica cases pending in Philadelphia reflect …