40-Plaintiff Hawaii Welding Fume Lawsuit Removed to Federal Court

HONOLULU -- Defendants in a welding fume lawsuit filed in Hawaii have sought a stay in the proceedings, pending a transfer to the Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation MDL in Ohio. Maemori, et al. v. Air Liquide America Corp., et al., No. 07-00332 (D. Hawaii).

In their June 15 removal, the defendants said the lawsuit contains allegations against an officer of the United States. The defendants specifically contended that work took place on U.S. Naval vessels, justifying federal jurisdiction.

On June 19, the defendants filed the motion to stay, saying that a stay pending transfer "is necessary and appropriate to …