Benzene Defendant Severed from Suit in Light of Bankruptcy Proceedings

PHILADELPHIA –– A defendant named in a benzene lawsuit of a mechanic and seaman has been severed from the other defendants in the matter due to the bankruptcy and automatic stay of the proceedings, a recent filing stated.

In the Oct. 11 order, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania noted that Central Gulf Lines Inc. had failed for bankruptcy.

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 tanks and perform other miscellaneous tasks. During the course of …