Alabama Man Alleges 'Conspiracy of Silence' Among Groups of Defendants

COLUMBIANA, Ala. - Several groups of defendants engaged in a conspiracy of silence to conceal evidence linking silica exposure and lung cancer, a silicosis complaint filed in Alabama state court alleges. Peel v. Air Liquide America Corporation, et al., No. CV 04-10 (Ala. Cir. Ct., Shelby Cty.).

The lawsuit, one of four filed recently in Shelby County Circuit Court, names dozens of defendants allegedly responsible for causing plaintiff Herman Peel to develop silicosis. The defendants are named separately in the complaint, but grouped as silica suppliers; mask, hood and respirator manufacturers; blasting equipment manufacturers; air filtration equipment manufacturers and product …