Petition by defendants (Singer Sewing Machine Company, The Singer Company, SSMC, Inc. and National Union Fire Insurance Company) for discretionary review pursuant to G.S. 7A-31 denied 27 February 2003. Conditional petition by defendants (SSMC, Inc. and Constitution State Service Company) for discretionary review pursuant to G.S. 7A-31 dismissed as moot 27 February 2003.