Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Commons^™

Sandbagging Closed Texas Courtrooms With Senate Bill 15: The Texas Legislature's Attempt To Control Frivolous Silicosis Claims Without Restricting The Constitutional Rights Of Silicosis Sufferers., John G. George

St. Mary's Law Journal

In the 1980s, Texas became a focal point for silicosis litigation. Statutes enacted to limit the liability of employers were not broad enough to limit the liability of silica sand suppliers. The increased number of claims are restricting the ability to receive compensation for those who truly deserve it. While the number of deaths has dropped dramatically, the number of claims has increased. Recently enacted Senate Bill 15 (S.B. 15) is the Texas Legislature’s answer to problems created by the large amount of frivolous silica-related claims. The goal of S.B. 15 is to protect the rights of those with silica …