Court Dismisses Beverly Hills School District from 1,000 Benzene Cases

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Superior Court has dismissed the Beverly Hills Unified School District from an estimated 1,000 benzene claims, finding that the claims are precluded by California governmental liability statutes. Moss v. Venoco, et. al., No. BC297083 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

In a March 23 order, the court reiterated its prior opinion that conditions at the school grounds were trivial, not dangerous. Sources told HarrisMartin that a similar summary judgment motion asserted by the City of Beverly Hills was granted on the same grounds.

There are an estimated 1,000 claims pending, all contending that a …