Early Silica Settlement Was Entered in Good Faith, Judge Rules

LOS ANGELES - A California judge has approved a settlement between a silica defendant and three former foundry workers, rejecting a co-defendant's effort to challenge the agreement based on its belief that the settlement was part of a packaged deal reached before any of the parties knew what the cases might be worth. Garcia v. J.R. Simplot Co., et al., No. BC371395 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

In an Oct. 15 order, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carolyn B. Kuhl said that defendant J.R. Simplot entered into the settlement with the three silicotic workers "in good faith" under California's …