Wash. Judge Denies BP Motion for Protective Order in Benzene Case

SEATTLE -- A Washington federal judge has denied a benzene defendant's motion for a protective order, saying that under federal law, a corporation is required to designate a person to provide knowledgeable and binding answers for the corporation. Darmanin, et al. v. ConocoPhillips, et al., No. 06-1429 (W.D. Wash.).

The Dec. 3 order from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington also denied the plaintiff's request for sanctions without comment.

BP Products North American Inc. filed a motion for a protective order, arguing that it could not comply with a request by the plaintiffs to designate an …