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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Family sues 8 companies for laborer's cancer death

GALVESTON � The family of the late Joseph A. Eaton Sr. is suing a number of companies, including Union Carbide Corp., claiming the companies are responsible for the death of the former laborer from cancer last year.

Elise, Deana and Joseph A. Eaton Jr. allege the decedent contracted and died from chronic lymphocytic leukemia as a result of toxic chemical exposure while working at Union Carbide's Texas City facilities from 1977 to 2005.

The original petition, filed March 16 in Galveston County District Court, also names BP Amoco Chemical Co., BP Products North America Inc., Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP, The Dow Chemical Co., E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Co., Shell Chemical LP and Shell Oil Co. as defendants.

According to the plaintiffs, Joseph A. Eaton Sr. was regularly exposed to toxic chemicals, including butadiene and benzene.

He was diagnosed with leukemia and died on July 29, 2011, at the age of 60.

His estate, headed by his spouse of 14 years, argues that the defendants manufactured, processed, sold, supplied and delivered various products which contained butadiene and benzene, claiming said products "lacked timely, adequate warnings of the risk of serious chronic harm."

They also assert the defendants "negligently failed to timely test butadiene, its metabolites and butadiene feedstocks for chronic health effects" as well as failed to warn the decedent and others in his position.

Consequently, the plaintiffs seek unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.

Bush Lewis PLLC and Hissey Kientz LLP are representing the plaintiffs.

Galveston County 122nd District Court Judge John Ellisor is presiding over the case.

Case No. 12-cv-430

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