Lawyers asked to consolidate Dalkon Shield cases.

Lawyers for some of the thousands of women seeking damages from A. H. Robins Co. for injuries allegedly related to the Dalkon Shield contraceptive device asked a federal court in Richmond, Va., to consolidate all claims in a nationwide class action. The motion also asks the court to rule that, on the basis of previous verdicts against Robins, the firm should be held liable automatically for the injuries that the women claim they suffered as a result of using the Dalkon Shield. Such a ruling would prevent Robins from contesting its liability in a class-action trial, one of the lawyers said. A spokesman for the company said it would fight the motion.