La. Court Denies Exceptions Filed by Defendants in Pending Benzene Action

NEW ORLEANS –– A Louisiana state court has denied all exceptions filed by defendants in a benzene action, rejecting defense challenges on a number of grounds, including lis pedens, vagueness and ambiguity, prescription, and improper venue.

In the Sept. 29 order, the Louisiana Civil District Court for Orleans Parish did, however, order the plaintiffs to produce a Shell Oil document requested by counsel for another defendant in the action or “is required to amend the petition to more clearly state the basis upon which the Plaintiff has sued the vessel defendants.”

In their first supplemental and amended petition for …