West Virginia Mass Litigation Panel to Hear Arguments For, Against Transfer

CHARLESTON, W. Va. -- The West Virginia Mass Litigation Panel will hear arguments for and against the transfer of 11 cases to the panel's jurisdiction and submit a recommendation on the proper venue of the cases, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals recently ruled. Skiles, et al., v. Lincoln Electric, et al., No. 03-C-2299 (W. Va. Cir. Ct., Kanawha Cty.).

In an order issued April 27, Acting Chief Justice Joseph P. Albright stated that enough evidence existed in the defendants' motions to refer the welding rod cases to a mass litigation panel under West Virginia Rule 26.01 and that …