3M Seeks to Amend Answer to Add Cross-Claims in Pennsylvania Benzene Suit

PHILADELPHIA –– Benzene defendant 3M Co. (NYSE:MMM) has moved to amend its answer in the pending lawsuit, saying that ambiguity of the claims necessitates the filing of cross-claims against its co-defendants.

In the Jan. 28 motion, filed in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia County, 3M says that allowing the amendment will not prejudice any of the other parties.

The plaintiffs contend in their complaint that Donald Berk’s work as a mechanic for nearly 50 years required him to work with benzene-containing products. As a result of the exposure, Berk developed acute myelogenous leukemia, the plaintiffs …