Welding Rods Containing Asbestos
Asbestos was used in welding rods starting in the 1930s. According to the manufacturers of welding rods, asbestos usage in welding rods ceased in 1981. Although welding rod manufacturers have frequently been sued in asbestos cases, the manufacturers have always strenuously argued that their products could not cause asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. In a handful of cases, however, juries have returned verdicts against welding rod manufacturers.
In 2003, for example, a New York jury returned a verdict against Lincoln Electric Company and Hobart Brothers Company in a case where one welder died from lung cancer and another welder died from mesothelioma. This verdict was upheld on appeal to New York's intermediate court.
More recently, in March, 2010, a Philadelphia jury returned a verdict against two welding rod manufacturers in favor of three plaintiffs with mesothelioma. In April, 2010, a Philadelphia jury awarded another verdict against a welder who frequently bent and hammered welding rods, thereby creating dust, and subsequently developed lung cancer. The welding rod companies are expected to appeal all of the adverse Philadelphia verdicts if they do not win their post trial motions.
