W. Va. Court Denies Appeal of Benzene Defense Verdict

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has denied a petition to appeal the entry of judgment on a defense verdict jurors returned a year ago on claims that a plaintiff's exposure to benzene caused him to develop non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Cave, et al. v. ExxonMobil Corp., et al., No. 042343 (W.Va. Sup. Ct. App.).

In a one-page order entered March 9, the appeals court refused the petition of Jo Anne Cave, who claimed that her husband's exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons in paint led to his development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

On February 27, 2004, a Marshall County Circuit …