Judge Denies Clemco Request to Reveal Settlement Data

OAKLAND, Calif. -- A state court judge has cited privacy and public policy in his decision to refuse a silica defendant from learning details about settlements a plaintiff has already reached with other defendants in the case. Macias v. Lone Star Industries, et al., No. RG 05-210491 (Calif. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty.).

Judge Robert B. Freedman ruled Aug. 29 that confidentiality agreements and other "strong" interests prevent defendant Clemco Industries from compelling plaintiff Ramon Macias from responding to interrogatories that asked him to divulge settlement information.

Macias sued Clemco and numerous others in Alameda County Superior Court for allegedly causing …