Lawsuit accuses refinery of exposing employees to toxic chemicals

The family of a deceased refinery worker has filed a lawsuit against the facilities for allowing employees to be exposed to benzene and other chemicals.

According to the complaint filed July 19 in Jefferson County District Court, Gary Craig was employed by Texaco and Chevron at their Port Arthur facilities.

Amanda Craig, surviving spouse of Gary Craig, deceased, and Elizabeth Auer and Michael Craig, the surviving children of Gary Craig, deceased filed suit against Texaco and Chevron on July 19 in the 136th Jefferson County District Court.

His wife, plaintiff Amanda Craig, and children, plaintiffs Elizabeth Auer and Michael Craig, claim that during Craig's employment he was exposed to solvents, gasoline, benzene, benzene-containing products and other chemical products.

Craig developed leukemia that went into remission but then later developed myelodysplastic syndrome, which he died from on Sept. 14, 2009, according to the complaint.

The defendants are accused of knowing that the products could cause irreparable disease but still allowed their employees to use the toxic chemicals. The defendants are also accused of failing to warn workers of the dangers and failing to take the necessary precautions to ensure employees were not exposed to these chemicals.

The Craigs are seeking exemplary and punitive damages, interest and court costs.

Beaumont attorney D'Juana Parks of Provost & Umphrey Law is representing the plaintiffs.

Judge Milton Gunn Shuffield, 136th District Court, is assigned to the case.

Case No. D187-322