Defendants Remove Louisiana and Texas Lawsuits

NEW ORLEANS -- Defendants have alleged fraudulent joinder of non-manufacturing defendants in the removal of three recently filed Louisiana welding rod lawsuits to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Blanchard v. A.O.Smith Co., et al., No. 04-cv-02204 (E.D. La.).

The removal notices in Blanchard, Buras (04-cv-02206) and Bennett (04-cv-2203) were filed Aug. 5 by Dixie Mill Inc. and other welding supply companies. Dixie Mill also contends that under the Louisiana Products Liability Act, claims of defective products can only be asserted against manufacturers of the unreasonably dangerous product.

A pending Texas lawsuit, Doherty v. Lincoln Electric, …