On August 5, a state court jury in West Virginia determined that Linde LLC, Lincoln Electric, and Hobart Brothers were not responsible for injuries to welder John Belcher.

The verdict is among a series of defense successes, according to American Lawyer.com, in the welding rod fume litigation, where plaintiffs allege industrial equipment suppliers are responsible for a wide range of physical and neurological disabilities suffered by welders allegedly harmed by chemicals in welding rod fumes.

Industry reports state that 23 of 27 welding rod fume cases have been found in favor of the defense. Additionally, plaintiffs have dismissed more than 4,000 suits in the last two years after they were consolidated in a multidistrict litigation.

In the latest case, the jury in West Virginia deliberated for just two hours before returning the verdict.