AI-assisted research summary: The provision limits evidence and discovery in asbestos or silica actions, lets courts consolidate certain cases, and blocks liability for exposures from third-party products.
1. Evidence relating to the prima facie showings required under this chapter shall not create any presumption that the exposed person has an asbestos-related or silica-related injury or impairment, and shall not be conclusive as to the liability of any defendant. 2. No evidence shall be offered at trial, and the jury shall not be informed, of any of the following: a. The grant or denial of a motion to dismiss an asbestos action or silica action under the provisions of this chapter. b. The provisions of this chapter with respect to what constitutes a prima facie showing of asbestos-related impairment or silica-related impairment. 3. Until a court enters an order determining that the exposed person has established prima facie evidence of impairment, an asbestos action or silica action shall not be subject to discovery, except discovery related to establishing or challenging the prima facie evidence or by order of the trial court upon motion of one of the parties and for good cause shown. 4. a. A court may consolidate for trial any number and type of asbestos actions or silica actions with the consent of all the parties. In the absence of such consent, the court may consolidate for trial only asbestos actions or silica actions relating to the exposed person and members of that person’s household. b. This subsection does not preclude the consolidation of cases by court order for pretrial or discovery purposes. 5. A defendant in an asbestos action or silica action shall not be liable for exposures from a product or component part made or sold by a third party. 2017 Acts, ch 11, §16