Defendants Seek to Strike Suit Linking Exposure to Parkinson's Disease

LOS ANGELES -- Two defendants have moved to strike portions of a complaint filed recently in California, saying that the plaintiff, who claims his Parkinson's disease was caused in part by benzene exposure, does not plead enough facts to support his claim for punitive and exemplary damages. Shenkel, et al., v. Western Exterminator Co., et al., No. BC391795 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

In the July 7 motion filed in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, defendants Dow AgroSciences and The Dow Chemical Company claim that the lawsuit fails to identify any wrongful conduct the companies undertook.

"Because …