Family blames man's death on benzene exposure at Chevron

The wife and children of a deceased man filed a complaint against Chevron, alleging the man died after he developed multiple myeloma following his exposure to benzene and benzene-containing products.

Patricia Miller, Christine Goodman and Alison Miller say Luther Wesley Miller worked at Texaco in Jefferson County where he used and was exposed to benzene and benzene-containing products.

"As a result of such exposure, Luther Wesley Miller, developed multiple myeloma from which he died a painful and terrible death on Feb. 7, 2008," the complaint filed June 19 in Jefferson County District Court states.

Even though Chevron knew the benzene could cause deadly blood conditions and cancers, the company still allowed its employees to work around the chemicals, the suit says.

In addition, it failed to warn workers of the dangers of the chemicals and failed to take necessary precautions to ensure that Luther Miller was not exposed to the chemicals, according to the complaint.

The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified exemplary and punitive damages, plus interest, costs and other relief to which they are entitled.

J. Keith Hyde of Provost and Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont will be representing them.

The case has been assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: B184-331.