Calif. Court Allows Defendants to Question Plaintiff on Relevant Drug Use

OAKLAND, Calif. -- The California court overseeing the state's coordinated welding fume docket has ruled on motions to compel, in part requiring the plaintiff to respond to questions relating to illicit drug use, and conspiracy and fraud allegations. In re: Welding Products Cases, JCCP No. 43368 (Calif. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty.).

In the Feb. 8 order, Alameda Superior Court Judge Bonnie Sabraw determined that some testimony relating to drug use was permissible and that a second, limited, round of interrogatories dealing with conspiracy and fraud claims would be allowed.

The welding fume claims asserted by Val King are scheduled to …