6th Circuit Overturns $20.5 Million Verdict

CINCINNATI - A 6th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel has vacated a $20.5 million judgment for a former welder and his wife, ruling that the trial court improperly allowed expert testimony linking the use of welding products to "manganese-induced parkinsonism." Tamraz, et ux. v. Lincoln Electric Co., et al., No. l08-4015/4016 (6th Cir.).

The panel held by a 2-1 majority on Sept. 8 that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing Dr. Walter Carlini to testify on behalf of plaintiff Jeff Tamraz because his testimony was speculative and did not meet the reliability standards required by the Federal …