Defendants File Petition to Appeal $1 Million Elam Verdict

MT VERNON, Ill. - A petition for leave to appeal has been filed in the Illinois Supreme Court in response to an Illinois appellate court's affirmation of a $1 million welding fume verdict. Elam v. Lincoln Electric, et al., No. 01-L-1213 (Ill. App. Ct., 5th Dist.).

In their Jan. 24 petition, Lincoln Electric, Hobart Brothers and Airco/The BOC Group say the Appellate Court erroneously affirmed what is to date the only verdict ever returned in favor of plaintiffs in a welding rod case.

Lawrence Elam alleged that his work as a stick welder at Union Electric for nearly 30 years …