Court to Decide Whether Recent California Silica Cases are 'Complex'

OAKLAND, Calif. - A California court has set a hearing next month to determine whether numerous silica complaints recently filed there will be designated 'complex' for purposes of discovery. Cleveland, et al. v. Lone Star Industries Inc., No. 05-210483 (Calif. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty.).

According to sources, the Alameda County Superior Court set the July 8 hearing earlier this month in response to the nearly three dozen silica personal injury claims that were filed in April.

Previously, the court ruled that all silica cases pending in Alameda County during the calendar year 2005 would be managed by Judge Henry Needham …