California Bridge Welders Agree On Disposition of $1.4 Million Settlement Fund

OAKLAND, Calif. — Nearly four dozen welders who alleged injuries from exposure to welding fumes while working on the Oakland Bay Bridge have agreed to end their dispute over distribution of insurance proceeds from settling defendant IHI Environmental.

The agreement reached during court-sponsored talks in early August was the subject of disbursement orders filed Aug. 9 and 10 in the Alameda County (Calif.) Superior Court.

Francisco Aguirre and his co-workers sued bridge contractor KFM Joint Venture and other parties, including environmental consultant IHI, in 2005. The cases were consolidated for pre-trial proceedings.

In March, Steadfast Insurance, IHI’s insurer, …