Benzene Parties Continue to Battle in Louisiana on General Causation

NEW ORLEANS -- Several defendants in a Louisiana benzene case have opposed a plaintiff motion for summary judgment, saying that because the alleged injury does not involve medical causation that is within common knowledge, the plaintiffs have to present expert testimony to support their claims. Bishop, et al. v. Shell Oil Co., et al., No. 07-2832 (E.D. La.).

Shell Oil Co. and Shell Chemical LP filed the opposition on May 12, refuting claims by the plaintiffs that the defendants admitted that benzene can cause blood diseases and, as a result, they were entitled to summary judgment on general causation.

The …