Benzene Wrongful Death Lawsuit Results in $7.5M Verdict

The family of a Nevada truck driver has been awarded $7.5 million as the result of exposure to benzene, which they claimed caused his death from Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) in May 2009, at the age of 58. 

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by the family of Rick Lewis, who alleged that his death was caused by benzene exposure while working as a gasoline tanker-truck driver for Kinder Morgan Energey Partners, L.P., the defendants in the case.

Lewis worked from 2002 to 2008 at the Kinder Morgan’s Las Vegas terminal, where he loaded gasoline daily and delivered it to other locations. The gasoline contained up to 3% benzene, which is a known carcinogen.

According to the complaint, Kinder Morgan failed to properly monitor for benzene exposure, did not warn employees of the risks of benzene and failed to practice industry-accepted safety standards.

Following trial in Clark County District Court, a jury agreed with the negligence charges and awarded the family $7.5 million.

Myelodysplastic Syndrome, sometimes referred to as preleukemia, is a bone marrow disease that often causes severe anemia and low blood counts due to bone marrow failure. It often precedes the development acute myelogenous leukemia.

Benzene is an industrial chemical that has been associated with the development of several fatal forms of cancer, leukemia and other conditions. In addition to MDS, it has been linked to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML), Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Hairy Cell Leukemia (HCL), Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, Myelofibrosis and Myeloid Metaplasia, Aplastic Anemia and Thrombocytopenic Purpura.