1.   By virtue of long-standing court policy, consolidated cases are assigned to the judge holding the first lawsuit filed.

2.   In January, the high court agreed to hear the consolidated cases.

3.   Inso said Thursday that an AAA-rated insurance company agreed to assume all financial responsibility for the defense and ultimate resolution of the consolidated case.

4.   Lawyers are likely to seek at least that much in the TWA case, they said, although the damages sought in the consolidated case are unspecified.

5.   The consolidated case names as defendants Aetna, Cigna, United Healthcare, Humana, Prudential Healthcare, Pacificare, Wellpoint Health Networks and Health Net.

6.   These consolidated cases raise the issue of the proper source of the limitations period for civil actions brought to enforce the Act.

7.   These consolidated cases present the question whether national banks may serve as agents in the sale of annuities.