Jury Reaches Defense Verdict in Favor of Chevron Oronite Co.

NEW ORLEANS –– A Louisiana state court jury has reached a defense verdict in favor of Chevron Oronite Co., rejecting claims that the plaintiff’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma was caused by exposure to benzene in naphtha.

The Louisiana Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans reached the verdict on July 21 after a two-week trial. The jury found 9-3 in favor of the defendant.

Dean Charles Tessitore claims that his pressure washing duties at Gulf South Hydro Blasting for three years exposed him to benzene in naphtah, causing him to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Tessitore claims he was exposed to benzene at …