Louisiana Appellate Court to Hear Arguments in Appeal of $17.5 Million Benzene Verdict

LAKE CHARLES, La. –– The Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal is slated to hear arguments in the appeal of a $17.5 million benzene verdict on Feb. 26, sources told HarrisMartin.

Defendants Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Texaco Inc. and Union Oil Company of California had moved for a new trial shortly after the February 2012 verdict, arguing that the jury’s award of $12 million in punitive damages was erroneous on several grounds, including that it exceeded the award for compensatory damages.

The defendants also contested the verdict on grounds that the plaintiff failed to prove that he was owed future damages; …