Parties Dispute Relevancy of Testimony from Former Ashland Employee

NEW ORLEANS -- Parties in a benzene lawsuit pending in Louisiana federal court have traded briefing on whether the deposition of a former Ashland employee is proper. Cole, et al. v. Ashland Inc., et al., No. 09-6584 (E.D. La.).

In the most recent U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana filing, the plaintiffs maintain that they have a right to depose the former employee as a third-party fact witness.

The underlying claims were filed by a group of plaintiffs who claim that their careers as laborers at an Olin Kraft Plant required them to work in close proximity …