General Electric Moves to Dismiss Negligence Claims in Alabama Case

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- General Electric has moved to dismiss negligence claims in an Alabama welding rod complaint, arguing that Alabama courts have never allowed a claim of negligence based solely on a non-manufacturing defendant's participation in a trade association. Davis v. Lincoln Electric, et al., No. 04-404 (N.D. Ala.).

Filed April 6 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, General Electric also contends that it exited the welding manufacturing business in 1957, thus making it impossible for the plaintiff to have used a product manufactured by GE.

'In support of this peculiar claim, plaintiff alleges only …