Judge Says Claims of 17 Silica Plaintiffs Can be Consolidated for Trial

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. - A state court judge has ruled that the claims of 17 workers who allege they are suffering from silicosis may be joined for trial when it commences in West Virginia next August, a source has told HarrisMartin Publishing. Argabrite, et al. v. American Optical Corp., et al., No. 04-C-322 (W.Va. Cir. Ct., Wood Cty.).

Judge Jeffrey B. Reed of the Wood County Circuit Court granted plaintiffs' request for consolidation under Rule 42 following a Dec. 11 hearing, the source said.

The plaintiffs filed a brief in support of consolidating the cases in November, requesting that the claims …