New Screening Results Prompt Plaintiffs to Withdraw Silica Lawsuits

WILLIAMSON, W.Va. - Several silica lawsuits filed by West Virginia coal miners have been dismissed by plaintiffs' counsel, reportedly after it was determined that the plaintiffs weren't suffering from any silica-related disease. Byus v. Arch Coal Co., et al., No. 04-C-138 (W. Va. Cir. Ct., Mingo Cty.).

According to court documents, plaintiffs in seven cases filed in Mingo County Circuit Court filed final proposed dismissal orders after voluntarily withdrawing their claims against all defendants without prejudice.

According to sources, plaintiffs opted to dismiss as a result of screening results indicating that they did not suffer from silica-related injuries. Sources said …