Texas Parties in Benzene Case Spar Over Kopstein Admissibility, Causation

HOUSTON -- Parties in a benzene case pending in Texas federal court are debating the admissibility of Dr. Melvyn Kopstein as well as whether there is sufficient evidence to back the plaintiff's contention that he developed multiple myeloma as a result of benzene exposure. Brown v. Shell Oil Co., et al., No. 08-00413 (S.D. Texas).

In a reply brief filed July 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, the Shell defendants backed their efforts to exclude the testimony of Melvyn Kopstein, saying that the plaintiff's response does not contain "any argument or legal authority regarding …