Welding Rod MDL Issues Split Remand Order for Miss., La. Cases

CLEVELAND -- The judge overseeing the welding rod products liability MDL has remanded a total of 46 cases originally filed in Mississippi, ruling that the plaintiffs have stated at least one colorable cause of action against one or more of the non-diverse defendants. However, in the same order, Judge Kathleen M. O'Malley refused to remand seven Louisiana cases, which allege exposure to welding fumes at Naval shipyards in that state, after determining that the defendants had asserted a colorable defense of their own in removing the cases. In re: Welding Rod Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket No. 1535 (N.D. Ohio).