Just when you thought the Rhode Island Lead Lawsuit was actually finished, a hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 15 before Providence County Superior Court Judge Michael A. Silverstein _ the  judge who presided over both trials and was overturned July 1 by a unanimous Rhode Island Supreme Court _ on the issue of reimbursement of Special Master costs sought by the defendants.

Sherwin-Williams Co., NL Industries Inc. and Millennium Holdings are seeking slightly more  than $242,000 for costs incurred after Judge Silverstein ruled the abatement process should proceed even while the defendants' appeal of the verdict was pending.

The state contends it does not owe any money to the defendants because Sovereign Immunity precludes such costs from being collected.