Jury Finds for Defense in Welding Fume Trial

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- An Illinois jury has found for the defendants in a welding fume trial, rejecting the plaintiff's contention that welding fumes caused neurological injury. Boren v. A.O. Smith Corp., et al., No. 00-L-886 (Ill. 3rd Jud. Cir. Ct., Madison Cty.).

The verdict was reached Dec. 1 in the Illinois 3rd Judicial Circuit Court for Madison County after a month of trial.

Sources indicated that eight defendants were left at the conclusion of the trial -- The BOC Group, TDY Industries, ESAB Group Inc., Lincoln Electric Co., Praxair Inc., Sandvik Inc., Union Carbide Corp. and Viacom. Only conspiracy …