General Electric, Caterpillar Defend Motion to Dismiss Conspiracy Claims

CLEVELAND -- Defendants General Electric and Caterpillar Inc. have reiterated in a reply brief their argument that MDL plaintiffs' conspiracy claims should be dismissed for lack of an underlying tort claim. In re Welding Rod Products Liability Litigation. MDL 1535 (N.D. Ohio).

In an April 26 brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, the two consumer defendants defend their motion to dismiss the conspiracy claims asserted against them. In particular, they argue, plaintiffs' response neglected to address General Electric's and Caterpillar's assertion that they owe no duty to the plaintiffs.

'The Opposition does not, …