3M Says Plaintiff's Silica Claim Barred by Asbestos Settlement Release

GALVESTON, Texas - An illiterate silica plaintiff who several years ago signed a $500 settlement release for asbestos claims filed against 3M Co. is barred by the waiver from collecting any more money from the company, court documents filed recently in Texas indicate. Browning v. Air Liquide American Corp., et al., No. 02CV1405 (Texas Dist. Ct., Galveston Cty.).

In a March 24 brief filed in Galveston County District Court, 3M maintains that the asbestos release was unambiguous and bars plaintiff Harvey Browning's claims for silica-related injuries even though Browning was unaware that he suffered from silicosis when he signed the …