Judge Grants Motion to Consolidate Cases for Discovery

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A motion to consolidate more than 10 welding rod lawsuits was verbally granted at a June 2 hearing, sources told HarrisMartin Publishing. Skiles v. Lincoln Electric, et al., No. 03-C-2299 (W.Va. Cir. Ct., Kanawha Cty).

Judge Paul Zakaib Jr. of the West Virginia Circuit Court of Kanawha County agreed, after a hearing, to consolidate all Kanawha County welding rod lawsuits for purposes of discovery.

The motion to consolidate was made by the plaintiffs more than one year ago, but was postponed while the judge overseeing the Welding Rod Products Liability Litigation MDL made a determination on jurisdiction …