Welder Accuses Employer of Manganese-Related Injury
March 27 , 2006
A In Ruth v. A.O. Smith Corp., a welder sued two welding rod manufacturers, alleging their product was hazardous and they failed to adequately warn employees of the potential dangers of manganese fumes.
At 32 years of age, Ruth was diagnosed with manganism, 10 months after he began work as a welder. Manganism, a movement disorder, which results from manganese concentration in the brain, causes severe disability. Ruth has difficulty walking and balancing. He also suffers from tremors and is expected to be completely disabled within six years.
In addition to Ruth’s other allegations, he accused the defendants and the welding industry in knowingly assisting each other in concealing information about the dangers of manganese in their products.
The defendants said Ruth’s injuries were not caused by manganese, and argued that he suffered from Parkinson’s disease.
The parties settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
