Real Estate Developer Appeals Defense Verdict in Benzene Groundwater Contamination Case

LOS ANGELES –– A real estate development company that accused several defendants –– including Union Oil Company of California, Chevron USA Inc., and ConocoPhillips Co. –– of creating a nuisance when they allegedly released benzene-containing gasoline into the ground in the 1980s has appealed a defense verdict.

On June 30, the California Superior Court for Los Angeles County awarded just over $400,000 in defense costs to the three defendants, rejecting plaintiff SRC/SCH LLC’s challenges that the submissions were untimely.

SRC/SHC appealed the verdict in May to the California 2nd District Court of Appeal.

The jury reached the defense …