Summary Judgment for Illinois Tool Works in MDL Cases

CLEVELAND - The judge overseeing the welding fume multi-district litigation has granted Illinois Tool Works' motion for summary judgment, dismissing the defendant from all MDL cases. In Re: Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation, No. 1:03-CV-17000 [MDL Docket No. 1535] (N.D. Ohio).

Judge Kathleen M. O'Malley of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio issued the order on June 11, saying that ITW did not make welding consumables itself and has no successor liability for subsidiaries Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. and Hobart Brothers Co.

In May 2008, Illinois Tool Works moved to dismiss claims filed against the company …