Defendants: Conspiracy Claims Fail in Absence of Confidential Relationship

CLEVELAND -- Several defendants involved in the Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation MDL are seeking the dismissal of conspiracy claims filed in 12 states, saying the law established there precludes such claims when no fiduciary or confidential relationship exists between the defendants and the plaintiffs. In re: Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1535 (N.D. Ohio).

The May 22 motion filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio seeks summary judgment on conspiracy claims in all of the cases originally filed in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.