Georgia Defendants: Plaintiffs' Welding Fume Claims Improperly Joined

ATLANTA - Defendants in the Georgia welding rod litigation have filed a motion to dismiss or sever claims filed by 50 plaintiffs, arguing that they do not meet the requirements for joinder under Georgia law. Burnette, et al. v. Dennis Welding Supply, et al., No. 03-VS-052788-G (Ga. Super. Ct., Fulton Cty.).

In a joint motion filed Jan. 21, the welding defendants argue that the group of predominantly out-of-state plaintiffs fails to assert claims that satisfy the threshold requirements for permissible joinder, as the only real connection between the claims is that they all allege injury resulting from welding fume exposure.