Sources: Judge Refuses to Extend SB15 Deadlines in Wake of Hurricane

HOUSTON - Hurricane Rita, which struck the Texas Coast last month, should have no impact on deadlines mandated by SB15, a recently enacted law that requires all pending silica cases to be transferred to the state MDL if they have not yet proceeded to trial, a recent order indicates. In re: Silica Product Liability Litigation, No. 2004-70000 (Texas Dist. Ct., Harris Cty.).

Sources told HarrisMartin Publishing that Judge Tracy Christopher, who oversees the state silica MDL in Harris County District Court, has denied a motion to extend the 90-day deadline for filing medical reports and setting cases not automatically subject …