Calif. Trial Will Hinge on Causation, Product Use, 3M Says

LOS ANGELES - A trial brief filed recently by defendant 3M Co. indicates that an upcoming trial pitting the company against a former sandblaster who underwent a double-lung transplant for alleged silica-related injuries may hinge on whether the plaintiff used 3M's product during the time he was allegedly exposed to high dust levels. Mahar v. 3M Co., et al., No. BC328229 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

The Nov. 9 brief, which also suggests that Rick Mahar's lung injuries weren't caused by silica, initially points out that Mahar primarily wore a respiratory protection device manufactured by Mine Safety Appliances when …