Court Rejects Causation Testimony in Myelofibrosis Case, Dismisses Claims

NEW ORLEANS -- A Louisiana court has rejected general causation evidence offered by a benzene plaintiff, saying that cited studies either do not link the plaintiff's disease to benzene or do not quantify the amount of benzene exposure. Leblanc, et al. v. Chevron USA Inc., et al., No. 05-5485 (E.D. La.).

The June 18 opinion specifically finds the testimony of Dr. Frank Gardner insufficient to support myelofibrosis claims and concludes that without the testimony of Dr. Gardner, the plaintiff's claims fail against the defendants.

"Some of Dr. Gardner's references do not address myelofibrosis," the court concluded. "Some have nothing …