Calif. Appellate Court Affirms $8 Million Benzene Verdict in Kidney Cancer Case

SAN FRANCISCO -- A California appellate court has affirmed an $8 million benzene verdict, in part concluding that there is no precedent requiring the plaintiff expert to testify as to the exact numerical level of exposure. Shelby v. SeaRiver Maritime Inc., et al., No. A122449 (Calif. 1st Dist. Ct. App., Div. 3).

In the Feb. 18 opinion, the California 1st District Court of Appeal also concluded that the awards of economic and future damages for pain and suffering were not excessive.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs claim that Mack Shelby was exposed to benzene-containing petroleum products while working as …