La. Jury Returns $17.5 Million Verdict in Benzene Case, HarrisMartin Reports

LAKE CHARLES, La. - A Louisiana jury has awarded $17.5 million to a former petroleum worker who claimed that he developed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) as a result of his exposure to benzene. McWilliams v. Chevron USA, et al., No. 2009-2803 (La. Dist. Ct., Calcasieu Prsh.).

Sources told HarrisMartin that the verdict was returned Feb. 10 at the conclusion of a damages-only trial before Judge David Ritchie in Calcasieu Parish District Court. Defendants Chevron USA Inc., Texaco and Unocal remained in the case at the time the verdict was rendered, sources said.

Plaintiff Monte McWilliams alleged that he was diagnosed …