Trial Date and Mediation Set in Massey Energy Coal Slurry Case

Here is an update from the Associated Press about the Massey Energy pollution case:

By VICKI SMITH

Hundreds of southern West Virginia residents who claim Massey Energy Co. poisoned their wells and made them sick by pumping coal slurry underground will get their day in court next year — and a chance to settle the case this fall.

A mass litigation panel handling the long-delayed lawsuit against Virginia-based Massey and subsidiary Rawl Sales & Processing set a trial date of Aug. 1, 2011, in Wheeling, warning the dozens of attorneys involved to clear their schedules for two months. The five-judge panel also announced it will hold a mediation day Nov. 15 in Charleston, when two of the judges will try to broker a settlement that Massey, the plaintiffs and dozens of insurance company lawyers can live with.

“We’re going to have a dual track here. We’re not going to slow down,” said Judge Alan Moats, who chairs the panel. “We’re going to go full speed ahead in both directions.”

While Moats and Judge Derek Swope will handle the mediation, Ohio County Circuit Judge James Mazzone will start preparing for trial with the help of Judges John Hutchinson and Jay Hoke.

Read the rest of the story here.

Technorati Tags:
ADR, law, arbitration