Defendants Move to Refer West Virginia Cases to Mass Litigation Panel

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Defendants named in welding rod fume exposure complaints in separate West Virginia counties have moved to consolidate the cases under the state's mass litigation rule because of the growing number of complaints filed in the state. Skiles v. Lincoln Electric, et al., No. 03-C-2299 (W. Va. Cir. Ct., Kanawha Cty.).

Defendants Illinois Tool Works, Inc., and Miller Electric Mfg. Co., Inc., filed the motion on Feb. 26 in the West Virginia Circuit Court of Kanawha County to refer the pending manganese litigation to a mass litigation panel, claiming that the denial of a similar motion made late …