Silica Plaintiffs Urge Texas High Court To Uphold Discovery Orders

AUSTIN, Texas - Silica plaintiffs say 3M waited too long to oppose discovery orders issued by a Texas MDL judge that require the defendants to produce insurance coverage information and potentially sensitive documents. In re 3M Co., No. 07-00260 (Texas Sup. Ct.).

In their Feb. 8 opposition filed in Texas Supreme Court, the plaintiffs contend that 3M's two-year delay in challenging the orders is "unjustified" and that any harm they may cause the defendants is "speculative."

In a petition for writ of mandamus filed late last year, 3M challenged a ruling by Silica MDL Judge Tracy Christopher requiring the defendants …