9.07.2005

Is this the start of settlement avalanche in welding rod fume lawsuits?

Shipyard Worker Settles Lawsuit Over Exposure to Welding Rod Fumes.

The first of 6,000 welding rod lawsuits scheduled to go to trial in the U.S. District Court in Cleveland was settled for undisclosed amount, said to be seven figures, the Associated Press reported today.

The lawsuit, filed by Charles Ruth, 38, a shipyard worker, said his neurological problems were caused from exposure to welding rod fumes. Ruth worked at Ingalls Shipyard, in Pascagoula, Miss. Plaintiffs in the consolidated cases allege that fumes produced during welding contain manganese. Manganese is known to cause Manganese Poisoning, Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease.

But the welding industry says there is no link between mild steel welding and Parkinson's disease or Parkinson's-like movement disorders. Check out the full AP story on this one. As a welder, you need to be informed about this situation.

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