On Monday morning, a Beaumont judge granted a joint motion to dismiss a benzene suit that sought punitive damages from Chevron USA and Texaco.
The case stems from a lawsuit brought by the widow of William Landry, Rose, who filed suit against the companies on Feb. 27, 2013, in Jefferson County District Court, alleging the chemical giants knowingly exposed her late husband to benzene – the alleged root cause of his cancer.
Court records show that on Dec. 16 the parties filed a joint motion for dismissal with prejudice, stating the defendants agreed to settle the plaintiff’s claims for punitive damages.
Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, granted the motion following a Monday hearing.
According to the lawsuit, during his employment with Texaco, William Landry used and was exposed to benzene products. As a result, he developed multiple myeloma “from which he died a painful and terrible death on June 26, 2011.”
The suit accused the defendants of knowing the harmful effects of benzene but negligently failing to warn workers of the dangers and safeguard them against the chemical.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Keith Hyde of the Provost & Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont.
The defendants are represented by Michael Baker, attorney for the Strong Pipkin Bissell & Ledyard law firm in Beaumont.
Case No. D193-994
Chevron, Texaco settle benzene suit seeking punitive damages
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