Japanese Manufacturers Move to Dismiss West Virginia Claims

WHEELING, W.Va. -- Three Japanese defendants have filed a motion to dismiss claims asserted against them by West Virginia plaintiffs, arguing that West Virginia courts lack jurisdiction because the foreign defendants conducted no business in the state. Adames, et al., v. AGA Gas, Inc. et al., No. 04-44 (N.D. W. Va.).

Defendants Kobe Steel, Shinko Welding Service and Shinko Taseto Co. filed the motion on April 26 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. They asked the court to dismiss claims by an estimated 2,400 plaintiffs because they were unaware that their products were being …