Benzene Defendants Move for Summary Judgment in Iowa Case, Say Claims Were Discharged in Bankruptcy

DAVENPORT, Iowa –– Several defendants have filed motions for summary judgment in a pending benzene case, saying that the claims arose before the defendants entered bankruptcy and are, therefore, precluded.

Defendants Lyondell Chemical Co., Equistar Chemicals LP and Equistar GP LLC say in the May 5 brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa that they are entitled to summary judgment because they emerged from bankruptcy in 2010 and are “free of any pre-bankruptcy claims that were not submitted to the bankruptcy court.”

Plaintiff Cheri Dahlin originally filed suit in Iowa state court …