Sand Supplier Sues Excess Insurer, Demands Coverage of Silicosis Lawsuits

BEAUMONT, Texas - A sand supplier named in hundreds of silica-related personal injury claims has sued Admiral Insurance Company, arguing that the insurer has refused to honor its coverage obligations under umbrella policies the silica defendant says are in effect now that primary coverage for the claims has exhausted. CEL, Inc. v. Admiral Insurance Company, No. 04-0405 (E.D. Texas).

In a lawsuit filed in Jefferson County District Court, CEL Industries seeks declaratory judgment, fees and damages for Admiral's alleged refusal to reimburse the sand supplier for costs related to the silica claims.

CEL predecessor, Southwest Aggregates, Inc., sold bagged silica …