March 29, 2006: Welder's $1M Award Stands in Parkinson's Case
The Illinois Supreme Court let stand a $1M verdict awarded to a former welder who developed Parkinson's disease after his exposure to welding fumes while on the job. The Illinois high court declined to review the case, without further explanation.

December 20, 2005: Illinois Court Upholds Welder's $1M Verdict
All Illinois appellate court upheld a $1M verdict award in a lawsuit against several welding rod manufacturers, based on injuries from on-the-job exposure to manganese fumes. The Illinois 5th District Appellate Court found that the welding rod manufacturers did not adequately warn welders of the possible harm caused by the release of manganese fumes during the welding process. The plaintiff, a former welder, currently suffers from Parkinson's disease.

December 14, 2003: Pennsylvania Welders Sue Welding Product Manufacturers
A lawsuit hhas been been filed in Pennsylvania state court, by welders claiming that fumes from a metallic element used in the welding process can cause the onset of Parkinson's disease. Filed against at least 20 nationwide manufacturers of welding products, the suit seeks certification as a class action, and alleges that the defendants knew or should have known of the health hazards caused by their products.

December 1, 2003: More Than 3,000 Welding Rod Suits Consolidated
More than 3,000 claims for injuries from exposure to welding fumes have been consolidated into one multidistrict litigation (MDL) action in federal court in Ohio. The plaintiffs in the MDL (which may become a class action suit) allege the development of Parkinson's-like symptoms. The case is in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, Eastern Division; case number 1:2003-CV-17000.

October 28, 2003: Illinois Jury Awards $1M to Former Welder
A Madison County, Illinois jury awarded $1 million to a former welder who claimed that his exposure to toxic fumes during welding caused the early onset of Parkinson's disease. The award, part of a judgment against three welding rod manufacturers, is believed to be the first of its kind connecting exposure to welding fumes with the onset of Parkinson's disease.

July 16, 2003: Multi-Million Dollar Verdict in Welding Rod-Asbestos Case
A New York City jury returned a multi-million dollar verdict against the manufacturers of welding rods that contained asbestos, finding the companies liable for the development of two welders' mesothelioma. The case marked a rare instance in which welding companies were held responsible for asbestos-related harm. Mesothlioma is a malignant form of cancer associated with asbestos exposure.