6th Circuit Upholds Dismissal of Benzene Personal Injury, Property Damage Claims; Affirms $250,000 Sanction Order

CINCINNATI –– The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit has upheld the dismissal of a benzene personal injury and property damage case as well as an order sanctioning plaintiffs’ counsel $250,000.

In its Aug. 2 ruling, the 6th Circuit noted that such sanctions are appropriate “when an attorney refuses to dismiss a claim after becoming aware that it lacks merit.”

“Given the history of this case, the district court did not commit a clear error of judgment by sanctioning counsel for continuing to litigate meritless claims,” the 6th Circuit said.

The underlying plaintiffs are residents of Ohio …