BEAUMONT — The children of a deceased oil refinery worker are suing Texaco Inc. and Chevron USA Inc., alleging malice and/or gross negligence surrounding their father's death from exposure to chemicals.
Sabrina Dodd and Johnny Wade Eason, children of the deceased Johnny Leon Eason, filed a lawsuit Feb. 3 in the Jefferson County District Court against Texaco Inc. and Chevron USA Inc.
According to the complaint, Johnny Leon Eason was employed at Texaco’s Texas refinery from 1951 to 1989. The suit says he was exposed to gasoline, benzene, benzene-containing products and other chemical products. As a result of the exposure, Eason developed chronic lymphocytic leukemia and died Oct. 23, 2015, the suit states.
The lawsuit alleges the defendants knew for decades the chemicals could cause irreparable diseases and still allowed employees to work there. Dodd and Eason also charge Texaco and Chevron acted with malice and did not warn its workers of the dangers of benzene and the other chemicals.
Dodd and Eason seek a jury trial, damages and further relief owed, along with court costs. They are represented by attorneys D’Juana Parks and J. Keith Hyde of Provost and Umphrey Law Firm LLP in Beaumont.
Jefferson County District Court Case number E-198074