In re Asbestos, Catalyst, & Silica Toxic Dust Exposure Litigation

MEMORANDUM OPINION

(August 23, 2017)

BEFORE THE COURT is a motion filed by Defendants Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corporation (“HOVIC”) and Hess Corporation (“Hess”) to extend the discovery deadlines in the twelve cases (“Group A cases”) selected to begin jury selection and trial at the end of the year as bellwethers for a much larger group of cases. Defendants assert that “the fact discovery that remains to be completed for the Group A Plaintiffs will take at least six and up to nine months under a best case scenario with both sides continuing to push multiple depositions and inclusive of medical…