Court Upholds Judgment That Erased $300,000 Silica Verdict

EASTLAND, Texas - An appeals court in Texas has affirmed a trial court decision to throw out $300,000 in exemplary damages awarded to the widow of a former sandblaster whose employer was previously found to have negligently exposed him to silica. Rivera v. Meister Industries Inc., No. 11-04-00172-CV (Texas Ct. App., 11th District)

In a May 18 decision, the 11th District Court of Appeals held that evidence presented during trial failed to show that Meister Industries was aware that silica dust could cause injury, despite the company's policy of supplying dust masks and non airfed hoods to its sandblasters.