Survey of Benzene
Verdicts and Settlements

Confidential HLO Settlement

Six-Figure Recovery

Our client was a 65-year-old pressman diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He worked as a pressman from 1973 to 2010. He was exposed to benzene through the press, blanket, and roller washes he used daily. He also came in contact...

Our client was a 65-year-old pressman diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He worked as a pressman from 1973 to 2010. He was exposed to benzene through the press, blanket, and roller washes he used daily. He also came in contact with benzene through inks, blanket savers, and rubber rejuvenators. Our client also worked on cars in his spare time and used benzene-containing penetrating oils and brake cleaners.

Confidential HLO Settlement

Six-Figure Recovery

Our client was a 67-year-old pressman diagnosed with multiple myeloma. He worked as a pressman from 1977 to 1991. Benzene-containing products that he used include roller, press, and blanket washes and inks.

Confidential HLO Settlement

Seven-Figure Recovery

Our client was a mechanic diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia just after turning 50. He spent many hours each week breathing in benzene vapors while washing automotive parts including fuel filters, brakes, engines, and carburetors. He was diagnosed in 2019...

Our client was a mechanic diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia just after turning 50. He spent many hours each week breathing in benzene vapors while washing automotive parts including fuel filters, brakes, engines, and carburetors. He was diagnosed in 2019 after 16 years of benzene exposure.

Confidential HLO Settlement

Seven-Figure Recovery

Our client was a transmission rebuilder diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome at 59 years old. His cancer progressed to acute myeloid leukemia just before he died one year later. He spent 3 to 4 hours every day cleaning hundreds of transmission...

Our client was a transmission rebuilder diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome at 59 years old. His cancer progressed to acute myeloid leukemia just before he died one year later. He spent 3 to 4 hours every day cleaning hundreds of transmission parts while breathing in benzene vapors for nearly 40 years. We represented his estate and his family in a wrongful death action.

Confidential HLO Settlement

Six-Figure Recovery

Our client was a painter diagnosed with multiple myeloma at 68 years old. He began working as a painter in 1970. He used benzene-containing products daily, including paint thinners and strippers, lacquer thinners, oil-base paints, varnishes, shellacs, and brush cleaners....

Our client was a painter diagnosed with multiple myeloma at 68 years old. He began working as a painter in 1970. He used benzene-containing products daily, including paint thinners and strippers, lacquer thinners, oil-base paints, varnishes, shellacs, and brush cleaners. Benzene was not present at high levels in most painting products by 1980, but trace amounts remained in ingredients such as toluene, xylene, and mineral spirits.

Verdict

$3.2M

Helper/rigger/leadman on barges diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia via benzene exposure. Plaintiff exposed to benzene via solvents used to clean tools. Employer provided the solvents. Older versions of Liquid Wrench contained high mixtures of benzene.

Verdict

$7.5M

Gasoline tanker truck driver diagnosed with blood cancer following years of benzene exposure at defendant’s premises. Benzene was component of the fuel that he was loading and hauling.

Verdict

$5.9M

Plaintiff had a 39-year career with Sabine Towing. Throughout his career, plaintiff held various positions, including seaman, quartermaster, boatswain, third mate, second mate, chief mate and master. Plaintiff was diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disorder, a blood disease, which soon evolved...

Plaintiff had a 39-year career with Sabine Towing. Throughout his career, plaintiff held various positions, including seaman, quartermaster, boatswain, third mate, second mate, chief mate and master. Plaintiff was diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disorder, a blood disease, which soon evolved into acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Plaintiff alleged that he developed the disease as a result of exposure to benzene and benzene-containing products while working for Sabine Towing.

Verdict

$8.0M

Able-bodied seaman diagnosed with kidney cancer as a result of exposure to benzene and other hydrocarbons while loading and discharging crude oil and other products, cleaning tanks and measuring tank levels.

Verdict

$3.5M

In his 30s at the time, decedent was a contracted tanker truck driver who regularly transported toxic products. As a result, he was regularly exposed to chemicals containing benzene. Plaintiff claimed this exposure lead to the decedent’s diagnosis of myelodysplastic...

In his 30s at the time, decedent was a contracted tanker truck driver who regularly transported toxic products. As a result, he was regularly exposed to chemicals containing benzene. Plaintiff claimed this exposure lead to the decedent’s diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome, which quickly developed into acute myeloid leukemia. Decedent died within a year of his diagnosis.

Settlement

$1.5M

Plaintiff’s decedent had worked as a pump man aboard various tankers in the early 1970s and early 1980s where he was exposed to benzene. In 1994, about 15 years since his last exposure to benzene, the decedent was diagnosed with...

Plaintiff’s decedent had worked as a pump man aboard various tankers in the early 1970s and early 1980s where he was exposed to benzene. In 1994, about 15 years since his last exposure to benzene, the decedent was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Prior to and during that 15-year period, decedent had been a heavy smoker. Plaintiff passed away from AML in 1995. The widow brought suit against the vessel claiming her late husband’s AML was caused by his exposure to benzene while working aboard the tanker. The parties reached a $1.5 million settlement.

Verdict

$7.5M

CNW and UP railroad trackman developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) as a result of long-term exposures to creosote, degreasing solvents and lead. Railroad failed to provide necessary protective clothing and training.

Verdict

$17.5M

48 year old petroleum inspector diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia via benzene exposure while working on ships and barges. Plaintiff brought products liability (failure to warn) case against refineries. Leukemia in remission at time of verdict.

Settlement

Undisclosed

Plaintiff worked as a pressman at the Frankston Packaging Co. Plaintiff was diagnosed with refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts (RARS). He alleged his diagnosis was a result of being exposed to benzene and benzene-containing products in blanket washes, press washes,...

Plaintiff worked as a pressman at the Frankston Packaging Co. Plaintiff was diagnosed with refractory anemia with ring sideroblasts (RARS). He alleged his diagnosis was a result of being exposed to benzene and benzene-containing products in blanket washes, press washes, varnish removers, plate cleaners, roller washers and other solvents and chemicals that were manufactured by the various defendants.

Settlement

$2.3M

40-year-old decedent spent most of his life working as a missionary and a pastor of a small church. However, to make ends meet, decedent spent one year working as an aircraft painter at McDonnell Douglas. Eleven years after he began...

40-year-old decedent spent most of his life working as a missionary and a pastor of a small church. However, to make ends meet, decedent spent one year working as an aircraft painter at McDonnell Douglas. Eleven years after he began working at McDonnell Douglas, he was diagnosed with acute myelomonocytic leukemia with eosinophilia. The survivor’s claimed decedent’s diagnosis was caused by exposure to benzene contaminated paints and solvents he used at McDonnell Douglas.

Settlement

Undisclosed

From 1965 through 1978, Plaintiff worked at Shell gas stations as a gas station attendant pumping gas and performing various mechanic tasks on automobiles using Shell Oil products. These products contained benzene. In 2009, Plaintiff was diagnosed with a form...

From 1965 through 1978, Plaintiff worked at Shell gas stations as a gas station attendant pumping gas and performing various mechanic tasks on automobiles using Shell Oil products. These products contained benzene. In 2009, Plaintiff was diagnosed with a form of leukemia allegedly due to his benzene exposure while working for Shell. The parties settled out of court.

Settlement

$750K

Railroad machinist exposed to heavy concentrations of diesel exhaust in Norfolk Southern’s roundhouse in Roanoke, Virginia as well as benzene-containing solvents and degreasers diagnosed with multiple myeloma which resulted in his death three years after diagnosis.

Settlement

$90K

Over decedent’s 33-year career as a lithographic printer, he was exposed to a multitude of various benzene-containing chemical products. The estate allege decedent’s exposure caused him to develop diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The parties settled...

Over decedent’s 33-year career as a lithographic printer, he was exposed to a multitude of various benzene-containing chemical products. The estate allege decedent’s exposure caused him to develop diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The parties settled for $90,000.

Settlement on eve of trial

$950K

62 year old railroad trackman died of gastric cancer. Exposure to diesel exhaust, creosote, calcium chloride, herbicide and pesticides.

Settlement

Undisclosed

Parties settled for an unknown amount after plaintiff was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and alleged it was due to his exposure to ethyl benzene and trimethyl benzene.

Settlement

$1.5M

49-year-old plaintiff worked as a safety attendant for Welltech Safety Services at the Chevron refinery in Richmond from August 2000 through September 2001. She was exposed to benzene, which allegedly cause her acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).

Settlement on eve of trial

$900K

38 year old railroad trackman diagnosed with Stage-4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Ongoing chemotherapy treatments. Exposure to diesel exhaust, creosote, calcium chloride, herbicides and pesticides.

Settlement

Undisclosed

From 1961 to 1976, plaintiff worked in oil and gas fields performing welding and other work for defendants. Plaintiff alleged that during his work he was exposed to benzene, welding fumes, and radiation, which caused him to develop non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Verdict

$824K

Plaintiff, a printer in his mid-50s, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Plaintiff alleged his AML was caused by his regular exposure to printing solvents and inks containing benzene at work.