Benzene Exposure Lawsuit Filed After Worker Develops Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

A toxic tort lawsuit has been filed on behalf of a Texas man who alleges that he developed a fatal form of cancer, known as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, after 30 years of benzene exposure while working around solvents and chemicals at an Amoco refinery.

Charles Stewart and his wife, Bessie Mae Stewart, filed a benzene exposure lawsuit against BP, Chevron, Shell, Texaco, ConocoPhillips and Marathon for manufacturing, utilizing and supplying solvents and chemicals that were known to be a carcinogen.

After working around benzene, Stewart was diagnosed with chronic lymphotic leukemia, a type of cancer involving the white blood cells which is generally considered incurable.

Every year in the United States there are about 15,000 new cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and it results in over 4,000 deaths.

Benzene is a chemical which has been used as a gasoline additive, an industrial solvent and during the production of various drugs, plastics, synthetic rubber and dyes.

Exposure to benzene has been linked to the development of several forms of cancer and leukemia, such as acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia.

According to the Southeast Texas Record, the Stewarts’ benzene lawsuit alleges that the defendants knew about the dangers associated with exposure to benzene and failed to warn him that he was working in close proximity to the hazardous solvents and chemicals without any precautions to reduce the risk of exposure.