June 2 Hearing Set on Motion to Consolidate Welding Rod Lawsuits

CHARLESTON, W.Va. ---- A motion to consolidate more than 10 West Virginia welding rod lawsuits will be heard on June 2, sources have told HarrisMartin Publishing. Skiles v. Lincoln Electric, et al., No. 03-C-2299 (W.Va. Cir. Ct., Kanawha Cty).

The motion to consolidate was made by the plaintiffs more than one year ago, but was postponed while the judge overseeing the Welding Rod Products Liability Litigation MDL made a determination on jurisdiction on a West Virginia lawsuit involving an estimated 3,000 plaintiffs.

On April 5, Judge Kathleen M. O'Malley denied remand in Adames v. AGA Gas. However, Judge O'Malley stipulated …