Settlement Reached Weeks Before Trial in Benzene Case Alleging Exposure at Barges

NEW ORLEANS –– A compromise has been reached in a benzene case that was scheduled to go to trial on Nov. 12, according to a recent order of dismissal entered in the case.

The order of dismissal was entered Nov. 4 by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. On Oct. 31, counsel for the plaintiffs and for remaining defendant Valero notified the court that the parties had agreed upon a settlement and asked the court to vacate the Nov. 12 trial setting.

The parties had recently engaged in a dispute over whether plaintiff Edward F. Authenment …