Judge Consolidates 5 More Welding Cases for Discovery Purposes

CHARLESTON, W. Va. - A West Virginia state court judge has consolidated five welding fume cases for discovery purposes, but has determined that the cases will be tried individually, sources told HarrisMartin. Lee v. Lincoln Electric, No. 03-C-3213 (W. Va. Cir. Ct., Kanawha Cty.).

At a Jan. 23 hearing, Judge Tod A. Kaufman of the Kanawha County Circuit Court set the first trial for Feb. 18, 2008, but opted to decide at a later date which of the five cases would be tried.

The cases consolidated before Judge Kaufman are Lee (03-C-3213); Baldwin (03-C-3220); Barr (03-C-3221); Conrad (04-C-401); and Rose …