Wash. Court Says Claims Barred by Oregon Statute of Repose

SEATTLE -- A Washington federal court has granted a defense motion for summary judgment, finding that the plaintiffs' gasoline-related benzene claims are barred by the statute of repose. Caswell, et al. v. Olympic Pipeline Co., et al., No. 10-5232 (W.D. Wash.).

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington reached the conclusion on July 22 after determining that the lawsuit was governed by Oregon law.

The plaintiffs contend that Robert Caswell's acute myelogenous leukemia was caused by exposure to benzene-containing gasoline while working at GATX Portland Oregon Terminal from 1980 to 1984.

A number of defendants filed …