Defendants Move to Sever 130-Plaintiff Oklahoma Silica Case

PRYOR, Okla. - A hearing on whether more than 100 plaintiffs were properly joined to an Oklahoma silica complaint has been scheduled for next month after defendants claimed that underlying alleged injuries did not arise out of the same series of transactions or occurrences. Akins, et al. v. Airgas Safety, et al., No. CJ-2003-443 (Okla. Dist. Ct., Mayes Cty.).

Argument on the defendants' motion to sever is set for April 27 in Mayes County District Court, where last year some 76 foundry workers and their spouses sued 63 defendants alleging injury from exposure to silica.

The defendants moved to sever …