The Third Circuit recently affirmed entry of summary judgment in favor of General Electric (“GE”) on grounds of derivative sovereign immunity. The Third Circuit found that GE was entitled to derivative sovereign immunity under current established doctrine in Yearsley and Boyle because all of GE’s work and equipment at issue was performed and/or designed pursuant
In 1968, the Multidistrict Litigation Act provided the framework for multidistrict litigation (MDL); where civil actions involve “one or more common questions of fact . . . pending in different districts, such actions may be transferred to any district for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings.” 28 U.S.C. § 1407(a).
In July, a proposed bill named the Silicosis Prevention Act was withdrawn from consideration in California. This proposed bill would have substantially affected the manufactured stone industry by banning dry fabrication activities, imposing licensing requirements for employers and workers, and implementing a public database for violations and other state enforcement actions. Even though this version of the proposed bill was withdrawn, further legislative efforts targeting the manufactured stone industry are anticipated in the future.