Jurors in Oakland, CA., concluded last week that welding products manufacturers were not liable for any neurological impairments suffered by a long-time welder. See Thomas v. A.O. Smith Corp., at al. (Calif. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty.).The trial lasted about 3 weeks, and the Alameda County jury delivered its verdict after approximately three and a half hours of deliberations. Judge Robert B. Freedman presided. Trial defendants included Lincoln Electric Co., ESAB Group, and Hobart Brothers Co.

The Thomas trial marks the first time allegations that a worker became ill from exposure to welding rod fumes has been heard by a California state court jury. Thomas had alleged that welding rod manufacturers knew that welding fumes were toxic and failed to adequately warn of the risk of neurological disorders. As a result of his exposure, Thomas alleged he suffered severe physical and emotional injuries.

On the eve of trial, Judge Freedman had denied defense motions to exclude testimony by Thomas’ medical experts and industrial hygienist, but granted a motion to preclude a plaintiff warning expert from offering an opinion as to whether defendants had a duty to warn or on the effectiveness of defendants’ warning labels.

Judge Freedman also barred plaintiffs from making pejorative references to the “welding industry,” or making plaintiffs’ typical, inappropriate comparisons to tobacco or asbestos companies. However, the judge denied a defense motion to prevent plaintiffs from referring to defendants’ lobbying activities.

The jury’s finding was that welding fumes did not cause the plaintiff’s injury, and this seems to support what defendants have contended: there is no sufficient link between welding fumes and Parkinson’s disease. By our count that is 22 of the last 26 verdicts for defendants in this mass tort.