California Judge Addresses Expert Admissibility, Appoints Special Master

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The judge overseeing the California coordinated welding rod proceedings has entered several orders in recent months relating to the admissibility of expert testimony, as well as transfers of pending cases to the coordinated docket. Welding Rod Products Cases, JCCP No. 4368 (Calif. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty.).

On April 12, Judge Ronald M. Sabraw of the California Superior Court for Alameda County issued an order regarding admissibility of expert testimony, in which he determined that the Kelly test would not be applied to the dispute on admittance of expert testimony indicating that exposure to manganese fumes can cause …