Calif. Court Denies Motion for Separate Trial on Liability

OAKLAND, Calif. - The presiding judge in the California coordinated welding products cases has denied a motion by bridge welder plaintiffs to hold a separate, consolidated trial on liability against all defendants. Aguirre v. ESAB, et al., No. RG-05-212890 [In re: Welding Products Cases, No. JCCP004368] (Calif. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty.).

Alameda County Superior Court Judge Robert Freedman signed the one-page order on May 28 after a hearing on the motion.

Francisco Aguirre and his co-plaintiffs filed their motion on April 30, saying that the liability issues are the same for the 48 plaintiffs who are suing over alleged …