Defendants Reply in Appeal of $2.42 Million Jowers Verdict

NEW ORLEANS - Appellant welding products manufacturers replying to plaintiff Robert Jowers' defense of a $2.42 million welding fumes verdict reiterated to the 5th Circuit their belief that the trial court improperly stripped them of viable defenses and allowed the imposition of $1.7 million in punitive damages without a showing of malice or gross negligence. Jowers v. BOC Group Inc., et al., No. 09-60396 (5th Cir.).

BOC Group Inc., ESAB Group Inc. and Lincoln Electric Co., who were found liable in March 2008 for the punitive damages and $720,000 in compensatory damages, submitted their reply brief to the court on …