Joe and Roxanne Pena, individually and on behalf of minor children, filed suit against a total of 62 defendants on Jan. 11 in Jefferson County District Court.
Some of the defendants named in the suit include: American Oil, Amoco, Atlantic Richfield, Ashland Oil, BP, Chevron Phillips, Chevron USA, Dow Chemical, DuPont, Exxon Mobil, Huntsman, Motiva, Shell Chemical, Texaco, Union Carbide, Valero and five John Does.
According to the petition, Joe Pena worked as a chemical process helper at Bayer Material Science in Baytown from 2000 to 2012, where he was “needlessly” exposed to benzene.
He developed aplastic anemia as a result and required a bone marrow transplant.
The defendants are accused of gross negligence for placing unreasonably dangerous products into the stream of commerce.
The plaintiffs claim they are entitled to exemplary damages.
They are represented by Houston attorney Michael Gallagher.
Judge Baylor Worthan, 136th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. D-199452