Washington Federal Judge Sends Silica Exposure Case to Trial

SEATTLE - In a silica exposure case, a Washington federal magistrate judge denied Ferro Corp.'s motion for summary judgment, finding issues of material fact as to whether the plaintiff's exposure to Ferro's crystalline silica-containing product was a "substantial factor" in causing his silicosis. Headley, et ux. v. Ferro Corp., No. CO7-717-JPD (E.D. Wash.).

U.S. Magistrate Judge James P. Donohue of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington also found questions of fact as to the plaintiffs' failure to warn claims and the "sophisticated user" doctrine.

Steven Headley worked at A.O. Smith Corp. from 1976 to 2005, …