Jury Awards $13.3 Million in Compensatory Damages to Benzene Plaintiffs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Parties involved in a benzene lawsuit reached a confidential settlement shortly after a jury awarded $13.3 in compensatory damages to a plaintiff who developed myelodysplastic syndrome after exposure to benzene, sources told HarrisMartin. Ryan, et al. v. BP Corp., et al., No. 04cv223271 (Mo. Cir. Ct., Jackson Cty.).

The Missouri Circuit Court for Jackson County jury reached the verdict on Sept. 13 after almost three hour of deliberations, and also found the defendants acted with 'a conscious disregard for the safety of the community,' enabling deliberations on punitive damages. The punitive phase was set to begin …