A couple from Texas has filed a lawsuit against several major chemical companies, alleging exposure to toxic substances that they claim led to severe health issues. On September 27, 2024, Eddie Marshall Foster and Becky Sue Foster submitted their complaint in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, targeting corporations including Ashland Inc., Berryman Products Inc., Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Shell USA Inc., Union Oil Company of California, and United States Steel Corporation.
The Fosters' lawsuit details a troubling history of exposure to hazardous chemicals during Eddie Foster's employment at various companies linked to the defendants. The plaintiffs assert that Mr. Foster was exposed to dangerous levels of benzene and other carcinogenic substances while working at Gulf Oil Company, Chevron USA Inc., and Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP in Baytown, Texas from 1977 to 2019. Additionally, he encountered benzene-containing products like Liquid Wrench and Chemtool between 1969 and 1979. This prolonged exposure allegedly resulted in Mr. Foster being diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) on October 28, 2022.
According to the complaint, the defendants were aware or should have been aware of the harmful effects associated with these chemicals but failed to provide adequate warnings or protective measures for employees like Mr. Foster. The Fosters accuse the companies of negligence, gross negligence, strict product liability, and creating unsafe working conditions without proper safety equipment or monitoring of chemical levels in the workplace.
The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for medical expenses, mental anguish, pain and suffering, loss of companionship and consortium, physical impairment, disfigurement, loss of household services among other damages. They are also pursuing punitive damages aimed at punishing the defendants for their alleged misconduct and deterring similar actions in the future. The total amount sought by the Fosters is not specified but is capped at ten million dollars ($10,000,000). Furthermore, they demand pre-judgment and post-judgment interest at lawful rates along with costs incurred during litigation.
Representing the plaintiffs is attorney J. Robert Black from Black Law PC based in Houston. The case has been assigned to Judge Patricia J in Harris County's 295th Judicial District under Case ID: 2024-66742.