Alabama Judge Dismisses 'Shotgun-Style' Silica Complaint Sua Sponte

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A federal judge has dismissed a silica case sua sponte, finding that the 'shotgun-style' complaint fails to comply with federal rules of civil procedure related to alleging causes of action with particularity. Chancellor, et al. v. Air Liquide America Corp., et al., No. 04-2554 (N.D. Ala.).

In an Oct. 8 order, Judge Karon O. Bowdre of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama said that while federal notice pleading rules are liberal with regard to the particularity of the claims, complaints must still indicate sufficient detail so that defendants and the court can obtain …