Peirce
WHEELING, W.Va. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge has ruled that a prominent Pittsburgh-based asbestos lawyer must produce his firm's correspondence with a controversial Bridgeport radiologist.
On June 4, U.S. District Judge Frederick Stamp affirmed Magistrate Judge James Seibert, who ruled in May that CSX could see correspondence between Dr. Ray Harron and the firm of Peirce, Raimond and Coulter, which is headed by Robert Peirce.
Stamp adopted Seibert's order in its entirety.
Stamp has set trial to start Aug. 11 on CSX's claim that Peirce and Harron conspired to fabricate asbestos claims.
CSX seeks to recover the cost of defending and settling the claims.
Stamp's order allows CSX to see all communications between the firm and Harron since 1999, including consulting agreements and other contracts.
It allows CSX to see any documents relating to expenses Harron or the firm created or retained in connection with Harron's review of X-rays.
Subject to a confidentiality order, it allows CSX to see the firm's internal correspondence concerning selection and retention of consulting physicians.
By adopting Seibert's entire order, Stamp adopted Seibert's statement that he would consider sanctions and costs at a later date.
Peirce and Harron have objected to sanctions, arguing that CSX didn't ask for them.