Plaintiff Says Jones Act Silica Cases Should be Remanded from State MDL

HOUSTON - Plaintiffs in Texas have moved to remand a Jones Act silicosis case that was transferred to the state silica MDL. Lopez v. Global Santa Fe Corp., No. 2005-76732 (Texas Dist. Ct., Harris Cty.).

In a motion to remand filed Dec. 15 in 295th Harris County District Court, plaintiff John Lopez says the MDL's Case Management Order specifically states that Jones Act cases, as well as those filed pursuant to the Federal Employers' Liability Act, are not to be included in the coordinated proceedings.

However, defendant GlobalSantaFe Corp. transferred the claims of plaintiff John B. Lopez to the MDL …