Federal Court Denies Attempts to Transfer Venue in Benzene Case

HOUSTON -- A Texas federal court has denied a motion to transfer proceedings of a Mississippi resident who alleges that he was exposed to benzene while working on platforms off the coast of Louisiana. Brown v. Shell Oil Co., et al., No. 08-413 (S.D. Texas).

In an Aug. 20 order, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued a decision rejecting defense attempts to stay discovery and to transfer venue in a one-page order.

Ben N. Brown Sr. filed his lawsuit in February, contending that his multiple myeloma was caused by exposure to solvents, paints, hydrocarbons, …