Fla. Court Rejects W.M. Barr’s Challenges to Benzene Plaintiff’s Negligence, Strict Liability Claims

FT. MYERS, Fla. –– A Florida federal court has allowed a benzene plaintiff to proceed with negligence, strict liability and gross negligence claims against W.M. Barr, finding in part that the plaintiff had sufficiently pled those causes of action.

In the July 22 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida additionally ruled that while the plaintiff will not be able to seek joint and several liability against the defendants for her negligence and strict liability cause of action, the remedy may be available to her for her gross negligence claim.

Gaetana Sorvillo filed the underlying action, …