Plaintiffs Challenge Motion to Sever and Transfer, Say Silica Litigation is 'Mature'

GREENVILLE, Miss. - Plaintiffs in a Mississippi silica action that defendants are trying to have severed based on a recent decision from the state Supreme Court have opposed the move, arguing that severance is not mandated because silica is a mature tort. Jenkins, et al. v. Pulmosan Safety Equipment, et al., No. CI2002-318 (Miss. Cir. Ct., Washington Cty.).

In a May 24 response to the defendants' motion to sever the case, which is set for trial later this month in Washington County Circuit Court, the plaintiffs argue that the decision cited in the defendants' brief, Janssen Pharmaceutical v. Armond, 866 …