Calif. Court Declines to Bifurcate Discovery in Benzene Lawsuit

SAN FRANCISCO -- A California federal court has rejected a renewed motion by defendants to bifurcate discovery in a benzene lawsuit, saying that expedited discovery on general causation could result in delays of other discovery. Gonzalez v. Texaco Inc., et al., No. 06-02820 (N.D. Calif.).

In the Feb. 27 decision, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California opined that the defendants would have ample opportunity to challenge the merits of the plaintiffs' claims with regards to general causation once discovery is complete.

Plaintiff Luisa Gonzalez contends that the defendants illegally dumped toxic oil production byproducts, including benzene, …