Judge to rule on IBM motion

[jamesinca]

Judge to rule on IBM motion
Company seeks to avoid trial over chemical exposure

Benjamin Pimentel, Chronicle Staff Writer , , 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Attorneys for IBM and for former workers who accuse the tech firm of exposing them to cancer-causing chemicals squared off Friday before a San Jose judge who will decide whether the ex-employees' claims should go before a jury.

IBM had asked Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Robert Baines for a summary judgment on the case in which it is accused of ignoring health risks to former workers who became ill with cancer.

Baines said he will issue a ruling next week. If he rejects IBM's petition, the jury trial is expected to begin Oct. 14.

<SNIP>

The lawsuit is one of more than 250 cases filed against IBM for allegedly exposing its workers to cancer-causing chemicals. The suit also seeks unspecified damages from chemical suppliers to IBM. Alexander said his team has reached settlement agreements with three of the firms over the past year.

<SNIP>

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/09/27/BUG341V97S15.DTL