Fla. Benzene Plaintiffs, ACE Hardware File Joint Motion to Dismiss Claims with Prejudice

FT. MYERS, Fla. –– A Florida federal court has granted a joint motion to dismiss benzene claims against ACE Hardware Corp., effectively terminating the defendant from the docket.

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida’s Jan. 12 order noted that the parties had jointly filed a stipulation for dismissal with prejudice three days prior.

Plaintiff Gaetana Sorvillo alleges that her use of paint removers, wood finishes and other products while working as an antiques refinisher in the 1990s exposed her to benzene. Sorvillo said she developed leukemia as a result of the exposures. She sued W.M. Barr, …