Judge Denies Consolidated Trial Plan in 19 Benzene Cases

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A judge has denied a motion to try 19 Missouri state benzene lawsuits in groups based on their alleged injuries, sources told HarrisMartin Publishing. Ryan, et al. v. BP Corp., et al., No. 04CV-223271 (Mo. Cir. Ct., Jackson Cty.).

Sources said at a March 11 hearing on the issue, the judge overseeing the cases instead opted to try the cases one at a time. The first to be tried will involve claims that benzene exposure caused myelodysplastic syndrome, according to sources.

In a Jan. 25 motion filed in the Missouri Circuit Court for Jackson County, …