An automotive and airplane mechanic used solvents containing benzene during his employment. The products he used were manufactured, marketed, supplied, sold, or distributed by the defendants. As a result of his exposure to benzene, a known carcinogen, the former airplane mechanic developed acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), which led to his death in 2011. His estate brought a wrongful death claim against the defendants claiming that his leukemia was a result of his exposure to benzene.
They sued Barryman Products Inc., Safety-Kleen Systems Inc., The B’Laster Corporation, and CRC Industries Inc. They brought claims of negligence and strict products liability against these companies.
Mechanics are often exposed to benzene from lubricants, paints, degreasers, thinners, and other products used in their day-to-day work. Benzene absorption primarily occurs through inhalation, but can also be absorbed through the skin, or even be ingested when siphoning gas. Mechanics are especially vulnerable to inhalation because tubs of cleaning solutions and fuels vent benzene into their workplace. Some mechanics report that they once used fuels or brake cleaners to wash their hands. As a result of these workplace exposures, mechanics are at increased risk for being diagnosed with leukemia.
Although the defendants denied that the benzene exposure led to his acute myeloid leukemia, the parties settled in 2016 for $255,000.
Mechanic with Leukemia? Call 1-800-BENZENE
Barryman Products Inc., Safety-Kleen Systems Inc., The B’Laster Corporation, and CRC Industries Inc. and other companies produce products used by mechanics. If you or a loved one has used products from these companies and have been diagnosed with a form of leukemia, you may have a claim against the manufacturer, supplier, or distributor. Call Benzene Lawyers at 1-800-BENZENE to learn more today.
We are providing this mechanic acute myeloid leukemia case history to inform visitors about actual case fact patterns and rulings. Unless specifically noted, the cases summarized in this series were not handled by attorneys at Benzene Lawyers. If you believe that you have a case similar to this one, feel free to call 1-800-BENZENE and speak with an attorney today.

A mechanic’s dirty hands. Mechanics often cleaned their hands with fuels or solvents that contained benzene. Those exposures can cause leukemia.