Court Schedules Upcoming Trials, Overrules Opposition to Selections

CLEVELAND -- The judge overseeing the Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation MDL has ruled that although there is merit to the defendants' opposition to two plaintiffs selected for upcoming trials, ultimately, the selections will be "highly instructive." In re: Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1535 (N.D. Ohio).

In the June 6 order, Judge Kathleen M. O'Malley of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio scheduled the next three bellwether trials to take place in November 2007, January 2008 and July 2008.

The trials on claims brought by Jeff Tamraz and Robert Jowers will take place …