MDL Judge to Hear Arguments over Sanctions Motion in February

CLEVELAND -- Sources told HarrisMartin that Judge Kathleen M. O'Malley has indicated that she will hear arguments relating to a defense motion seeking sanctions and the dismissal of thousands of claims in February. In re: Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1535 (N.D. Ohio).

The underlying motion seeks sanctions against plaintiffs' counsel for proceeding with the claims of Dewey Morgan, who the defendants argue was caught on surveillance video performing physical activities that he testified he was precluded from doing as a result of his neurological disorder. Counsel for Morgan has since moved to dismiss his claims, prompting defendants …