Benzene suit filed against Texaco for man's myeloma cancer

Local residents Mark Majors and his wife, Sylvia, have filed suit against Texaco and several other companies alleging the defendants negligently exposed Mark to benzene, inflicting him with cancer.

Their suit was filed Oct. 13 in Jefferson County District Court. The other defendants named in the suit include American Cyanamid, Huntsman Petrochemical and Wyeth Holdings.

According to the suit, Majors worked at the Port Neches refinery in the 1970s. The refinery has at one time or another been owned by all the defendants.

"During Mark Majors' employment at the Port Neches chemical plant he was occupationally exposed to ... benzene though the late 1970s," the suit states. "As a result of such exposure, Majors developed multiple myeloma, a deadly cancer."

The suit alleges the defendant knew the hazards of benzene, yet still allowed workers to be exposed to the cancerous chemical.

The couple is suing for punitive damages.

Majors is also suing for his alleged past and future mental anguish, medical expenses, pain, lost earnings and impairment.

They are represented by Provost Umphrey attorney Darren Brown.

Judge Bob Wortham, 58th District Court, has been assigned to the case.

Case No. A188-591