Illinois Tool Works Moves for Summary Judgment in Federal MDL Cases

CLEVELAND - Illinois Tool Works has moved to dismiss claims brought against the company by 644 plaintiffs in the federal welding fumes MDL, saying the company has never made welding consumables or belonged to a welding trade association, and can't be vicariously liable for alleged wrongdoing by two affiliated companies. In Re: Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation, No. 1:03-CV-17000 [MDL Docket No. 1535] (N.D. Ohio).

The motion for summary judgment and a 32-page supporting brief were filed on May 27 in the Welding Fume Products Liability Litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

"As demonstrated …