Jurors Find for Defendants in Ill. Welding Fume Case

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- Illinois jurors have found for defendants ESAB Group, Inc., Hobart Brothers Company and Lincoln Electric Company, rejecting the plaintiff's contention that his manganism was caused by exposure to manganese-containing welding fumes. Haskell v. BOC Group, et al., No. 04-L-1152, (Ill. 3rd Jud. Ct., Madison Cty.).

The Madison County Circuit Court jurors reached the verdict Nov. 15 after a month-long trial before Judge Daniel J. Stack that commenced with five days of voir dire.

Michael L. Haskell said that his work since 1982 throughout Madison County, including at Granite City Steel and the Clark and Shell Oil …