BEAUMONT - More than two-dozen companies have been named as defendants in a benzene lawsuit brought by a Warren couple seeking more than $1 million in damages.
Through the Provost Umphrey Law Firm, Rocye Mathews and his wife Rose filed suit against Shell, Dow Chemical, Chevron and many other companies on Dec. 6 in Jefferson County District Court.
Other defendants named in the suit include Atlantic Richfield, BP, ExxonMobil, Huntsman Petrochemical and Texaco.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants manufactured and sold benzene products, which were used by the public, including Royce’s employer, Goodyear Tire.
Royce was allegedly exposed from 1966 to 2007, causing him to develop Myelodysplastic Syndrome.
The suit accuses the defendants of negligently failing to warn of the dangers of benzene products.
The defendants’ disregard for the health and welfare of others constitutes gross negligence, according to the suit.
The plaintiffs are suing for punitive damages.
PU attorneys D’Juana Parks and Keith Hyde represent them.
Judge Justin Sanderson, 60th District Court, has been assigned to the case.
Case No. B-203026