Former Insurer of Benzene Defendant Named in Gasoline Case Files Declaratory Action

NEW ORLEANS –– A former insurer of a benzene defendant has filed a declaratory action, contending that it does not owe the defendant coverage for the underlying claims arising out of exposure to gasoline, diesel and crude oil.

In a Jan. 25 order, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana noted that the declaratory action was related to the benzene complaint giving rise to the coverage dispute and consolidated the pending cases.

On Jan. 17, XL Specialty Insurance Co. filed the complaint for declaratory judgment, noting that it issued insurance policies annually to Settoon Towing LLC from …