Western District Court of Louisiana Enters Orders Dismissing 5 Defendants

LAKE CHARLES, La. –– A Louisiana federal court has granted motions to voluntarily dismiss five benzene defendants, according to recently filed one-page orders.

On Sept. 27, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana issued an order granting a voluntary motion to dismiss the claims against Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron U.S.A. Inc., and Mobil Chemical Company with prejudice. Similar, separate, orders were entered with regards to Monsanto Co. on Sept. 27 and Mitsui & Co. on Oct. 3.

The underlying lawsuit alleges that Johnny Harlan Hargrove developed chronic lymphcytic leukemia (CLL) after long-term occupational exposure to organic solvents.