Hyde
An asbestos case against Chevron USA and BP Products North America has been transferred to a multidistrict litigation panel in Harris County.
On behalf of Emery Trahan, Kathleen Trahan and Chris Trahan sued Chevron in April for his death, claiming the company allowed him to work around asbestos-containing products which caused him to develop lung cancer.
BP was later added as defendant, court records show.
The Trahans claim Emery Trahan worked as a helper, electrician and operator at Gulf Oil Corp.'s Port Arthur facility, which is now owned by Chevron.
They allege that during his career, Emery Trahan worked near asbestos dust and fibers, causing him to develop lung cancer. He died from the disease on Oct. 24, 2008.
BP attorney Thomas Taylor, of the Houston law firm Andrews Kurth, filed the notice of transfer under rule 13 of tag-along case on Sept. 22, court records show.
Judge Mark Davidson, 11th District Court, presides over the asbestos case MDL.
In their suit, the Trahans claim the defendants negligently failed to timely and adequately warn its employees of the dangers of asbestos and failed to take the proper steps to ensure Emery's non-exposure to the cancer-causing product.
They seek to recover exemplary and punitive damages, plus interest, costs and other relief the court deems just.
J. Keith Hyde of Provost and Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont represents them.
Eventually, the case will be transferred back to Judge Donald Floyd, 172nd District Court, for trial.
Case No. E186-552