Defendants Call Plaintiffs Uncooperative in Discovery Process

CLEVELAND - The Welding Fume Products Liability defendants opposed the plaintiffs' motion for discovery sanctions on Aug. 29, saying that both parties have at times been untimely in their discovery responses. In re: Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation. MDL Docket No. 1535. Case No. 1:03-cv-17000 (N.D. Ohio).

Charles M. Ruth III said on Aug. 18 that Hobart Brothers Co. and ESAB Group Inc. abused and impeded the discovery process, intentionally violating a case management order that instructed the defendants to produce relevant documents by January 2004. See related story, 'MDL Plaintiff Says Hobart Brothers and ESAB Group Abused and Impeded …