Plaintiffs Receive $632,500 in Settlements; Trial to Proceed

CHICAGO -- All but two defendants have settled a benzene lawsuit asserted by a former automotive mechanic and his wife, who will receive nearly $650,000 from the settling defendants, sources told HarrisMartin. Scherer, et ux v. S & S Automotive, et al., No. 02 L 435 (Ill. 19th Jud. Cir. Ct., Lake Cty.).

Trial is scheduled to begin Nov. 28 in the Illinois 19th Judicial Circuit Court for Lake County against the remaining two defendants, gas distributors GAA Oil and Avalon Petroleum. Sources indicated that two of the plaintiff's former employers, Grant Dean Buick and the Lake County Forest Preserve …