Ashland Seeks New Trial Date as Parties Exchange Briefing on Admissibility

NEW ORLEANS -- Ashland Inc. has filed a motion to continue an October trial date for a benzene case, citing 15 pending motions and ongoing discovery depositions. Cole, et al. v. Ashland Inc., et al., No. 09-6584 (E.D. La.).

On Sept. 28, Ashland asked the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana to push back the Oct. 25 trial date, saying that the underlying matter is "in no posture to be tried."

The underlying claims were filed by a group of plaintiffs who claim that their careers as laborers at an Olin Kraft Plant required them to work …