Calif. Court of Appeal Affirms Defense Verdict in Thomas Welding Case

SAN FRANCISCO - A California appellate panel has affirmed the defense verdict reached by jurors in February 2009 on claims by welder Elbert Thomas that he contracted a neurological disease because of welding product manufacturers' failure to warn of the dangers of welding fumes. Thomas v. Lincoln Electric Co., A125296 In re Welding Products Cases, JCCP No. 4368.

California's First Appellate District affirmed the verdict on Nov. 10, rejecting Thomas' argument that the trial court erred in making various evidentiary rulings.

On Feb. 11, 2009, jurors in the Alameda County (Calif.) Superior Court reached a …