Judge Says Sandblaster's Will Provides Girlfriend Standing to Sue

VICKSBURG, Miss. - The girlfriend of a former sandblaster can bring a wrongful death case against several companies named in a prior suit for allegedly causing her boyfriend's silica-related injury, a judge in Mississippi has ruled. Kelley v. Pangborn Corp., et al., No. 07-0076-CI (Miss. Cir. Ct., Warren Cty.).

Judge Isadore W. Patrick of the Warren County Circuit Court ruled Aug. 11 that the girlfriend, who wasn't named executrix of the sandblaster's estate until months after her wrongful death suit was filed, had standing to sue because she had previously been identified as such in a will probated in Alabama.