Pa. Federal Court Denies U.S. Steel’s Efforts to Toss Battery, Punitive Damage Claims in Benzene Suit

PHILADELPHIA –– A Pennsylvania federal court has denied U.S. Steel’s efforts to toss battery and punitive damage claims asserted in a benzene complaint, finding that the complaint sufficiently detailed the defendant’s allegedly harmful conduct.

In the Feb. 15 opinion, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania further denied the defendant’s motion for a more definite statement, noting that several of U.S. Steel’s co-defendants have filed answers and, in some instances, cross-claims.

The plaintiffs contended in their complaint that Rudolph Johnson’s work as a mechanic and seaman on several U.S. navigation vessels required him to repair engines, clean …