Judge Reveals Intent to Issue Sanctions Just Prior to Welding Settlement

CLEVELAND -- According to a transcript obtained by HarrisMartin Publishing, MDL Judge Kathleen M. O'Malley was set to sanction two welding fume defendants for failing to produce documents but the matter became moot when the defendants decided to settle the claims. In re: Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation MDL, No. 1535 (N.D. Ohio).

Several sources said the pending order was one of several reasons prompting the defendants to settle claims brought by Charles M. Ruth III, who was slated to be the first plaintiff to have his claims heard in the MDL.

A transcript of an Aug. 30 hearing revealed …