Update on Tort Reforms and the State of Silica Litigation 2007
New York, New York
25 April 2007
Hosted By: NERA Economic Consulting
NERA presented the first in a series of seminars examining economic issues and insights relating to mass torts. On Wednesday, 25 April in New York City, John Ulizio, President of US Silica Company, discussed recent tort reform legislation and the current state of silica litigation. Mr. Ulizio also offered a defendants' perspective on managing silica and asbestos litigation in a constantly changing legal landscape. In addition, NERA Senior Vice President Dr. Faten Sabry discussed the impact of recent tort reforms on forecasting asbestos and silica liabilities.
Asbestos and silica have been the subjects of high profile mass torts litigation for years, but recently the landscape of silica and asbestos litigation has changed dramatically. A mounting body of scientific evidence has demonstrated that the legal system is being flooded by claimants who are unimpaired. This evidence, in part, led those states most affected by the abuse to enact reforms requiring proof of medical impairment and a connection to the state. In addition, in a decision by Judge Jack in the Silica MDL, doctors under suspicion of supporting significant numbers of fraudulent diagnoses were judicially sanctioned and subsequently banned from supporting future claims by a number of trusts.
This seminar provided an invaluable insider's view on the latest developments. Mr. Ulizio joined US Silica in 1991 and has served as its President since July 2003. Mr. Ulizio represented "silica defendants" as a lawyer before joining US Silica and managed silica litigation issues for US Silica as its counsel. He has written and spoken on silica litigation and medical criteria legislation.
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