Pa. Court Grants Motion to Sanction Benzene Defendant, Cites Failure to Participate in Mediation Process in Good Faith

PITTSBURGH –– A Pennsylvania federal court has granted a motion for sanctions in a benzene case, agreeing with the plaintiffs that defendant Safety-Kleen did not participate in a recent settlement conference in good faith.

In the May 28 order, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania awarded the plaintiffs all the attorneys’ fees, costs and travel related expenses incurred by the plaintiffs in preparation for, and in attending, the mediation.

Ruben and Mariana Grigoryants allege that Ruben was exposed to benzene-containing products while working as a machine operator at Erie Specialty Products. During the course of his …