Defendants Want Forum Issue Resolved Before Trial is Fast-Tracked

PHILADELPHIA - Defendants in Pennsylvania have asked a trial court judge to first determine whether a silica case belongs in the state before proceeding on a motion the plaintiff filed recently for an expedited trial setting. Parker v. New Jersey Silica Sand Co., et al., No. March Term 2007, No. 00394 (Pa. Comm. Pls., Philadelphia Cty.).

On Sept. 4, the defendants opposed Michael Parker's request for the preferential setting, arguing that even if the court rules that the matter can stay in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, it should be treated no differently than the dozens of other …