La. Oil Field Worker Sues Shell, Texaco, Alleging Benzene Exposure

NEW ORLEANS - A Louisiana man has sued Shell Oil Co. and Texaco Inc., alleging that he was exposed to benzene while working in their oil and gas fields and developed non-Hodgkin's lymphoma as a result. Cologne v. Shell Oil Co., et al., No. 12-735 (E.D. La.).

The March 16 complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, says the defendant companies failed to take proper precautionary measures to prevent plaintiff's exposure to hazardous substances.

Cologne alleges that while employed by Brown & Root, he performed work for Shell in oil and gas fields and …