Manganese Trial Begins in Missouri
November 7, 2005
After five years, a manganese welding case that was filed is finally going to trial. Steve Boren, of Cape Girardeau, MO filed a welding rod lawsuit in Madison County Circuit Court to be heard by Judge Nicholas Byron.
Opening arguments were heard on Thursday. Mr. Boren’s suit alleges that he suffered brain injuries and other damages after being exposed to manganese fumes while welding. Boren filed the suit in September of 2000, claiming that he inhaled dangerous fumes for long periods of time while welding and being near welding as a part of his job.
Named in the suit are the companies Praxair, Viacom, Union Carbide, The BOC Group, Sandvik Inc, and Lincoln Electric.
The welding materials Boren and many others work with while welding contain the naturally occurring element manganese. When the manganese gets burned in the welding process it is released into the air, and into the breathing pathways of the welder usually. Manganese exposure has been directly linked to several health problems including neurological damage and the development of Parkinson’s disease.
Boren’s trial will most likely take four to six weeks until the jury reaches its verdict and all testimony has been recorded.
In another recent trial, Larry Elam of Collinsville, IL was awarded $1 million in October of 2003 in Madison County. Elam’s case was the first ever award in manganese related damages.
Workplace standards exist to keep welders safe. If you have been exposed to unsafe levels of manganese because of insufficient safeguards, please contact us to confer with an attorney.
