Defendants Seek Dismissal of Claims in Upcoming Trial

CLEVELAND -- The defendants in an upcoming Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation MDL trial have filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio seeking the dismissal of the plaintiff's claims for common law fraud and aiding and abetting. Tamraz, et al. v. Lincoln Electric, et al., No. 04-18948; In re: Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1535 (N.D. Ohio.).

On Sept. 14, however, the plaintiffs opposed the motion, stating that the defendants had "superior knowledge and undertook to provide assurances about the safety of their welding products," therefore justifying the charges.

The claims …