Interrogatories by Benzene Plaintiff a 'Fishing Expedition,' Court Rules

AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Supreme Court has granted writ of mandamus to defendants in a benzene exposure case after determining that the plaintiff's discovery request for nearly 30 years worth of safety and industrial hygiene information was overbroad and unreasonable. In re CSX Corporation, National Marine Inc., and Vectura Group., No. 03-0381 (Texas Sup. Ct.).

Reversing a trial court's order compelling defendants to respond to the discovery requests, the state's high court said Oct. 3 that requesting information for a period of time that extends nearly 25 years beyond the time plaintiff worked for the defendants qualifies as …