Court Grants Interlocutory Appeal Petition; Parties Await Briefing Schedule

JACKSON, Miss. -- Defendants in Mississippi welding fume cases are awaiting a briefing schedule from the state's high court after the court granted their petitions for interlocutory appeal on issues stemming from aiding and abetting claims, sources told HarrisMartin. Caterpillar Inc. and General Electric Co. v. Smith, et al., No. 2006-M-01678-SCT (Miss. Sup. Ct.).

The Mississippi Supreme Court granted several defendants' petitions for interlocutory appeal on Feb. 8, finding the defendants' emergency petition for permission to appeal an order denying summary judgment on aiding and abetting and negligent performance of an undertaking was well taken.

Sources said a briefing schedule …