Neb. Court Lifts Stay in 2 Cases after Issuing Sophisticated User Decision

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska has lifted two stays issued in benzene cases that were implemented while the court heard arguments relating to whether the sophisticated user doctrine is one that is recognized by the state. Hauptmeier, et al. v. Barton Solvents, No. 08-187; Peet v. Barton Solvents, et al., No. 09-03021 (D. Neb.).

The stays were dissolved by two separate orders entered on Sept. 25 that also detailed discovery deadlines, disclosures of expert witnesses and trial dates.

Now, according to the order, the parties in Hauptmeier v. Barton Solvents, et al., …