Pa. Court Rejects Efforts to Add Wrongful Death Claims to Benzene Suit in Wake of Defense Challenges

PHILADELPHIA –– A Pennsylvania state court has denied efforts to amend a benzene-related lawsuit with wrongful death and survival causes of action, according to a recent order.

In its Aug. 10 decision, the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas for Philadelphia County agreed with the defendants that the plaintiffs’ efforts to include such claims were untimely.

The case is currently scheduled for trial in Jan. 2016, sources told HarrisMartin.

In bringing the lawsuit, the plaintiffs said that Andre Harvey developed acute myelogenous leukemia as a result of exposure to benzene-containing products while working as a laborer and boilermaker in refineries.