$1 Million Welding Fume Verdict Affirmed

MT VERNON, Ill. - An Illinois appeals court has affirmed a $1 million welding fume verdict, rejecting the defendants' attempt to reverse what is to date the only welding fume trial to end in a verdict for plaintiffs. Elam v. Lincoln Electric, et al., No. 01-L-1213 (Ill. App. Ct., 5th Dist.).

The Illinois 5th District Appellate Court affirmed the award in a Dec. 20 opinion, which also supports plaintiff's allegations that there is sufficient evidence of a link between Parkinson's disease and welding fume exposure.

Elam alleged that his work as a stick welder at Union Electric for nearly …