Murphy Oil Removes Benzene Action, Says Last Remaining Louisiana-Based Defendant Improperly Joined

NEW ORLEANS –– A benzene defendant has removed a lawsuit to Louisiana federal court, saying that there are only two defendants remaining in the action and recent deposition testimony has revealed that one of those companies is improperly joined to the case.

Murphy Oil USA Inc. removed the complaint to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana on July 15.

The plaintiffs filed the complaint in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans on behalf of Preston Washington Sr., contending that he developed acute myeloid leukemia as a result of benzene exposure. Washington was specifically …