Pre-Trial Orders Issued in Louisiana Benzene Case Slated for Feb. 22 Trial

NEW ORLEANS -- Noting that while it is an "extremely close call," a Louisiana federal court has denied a motion for summary judgment in a benzene case, saying the issue of diagnosis with regard to one of the plaintiffs is a question for the jury. Cole, et al. v. Ashland Chemical Inc., et al., No. 09-6584 (E.D. La.).

The Feb. 2 decision was one of several recent orders issued by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in a case involving two plaintiffs who contend their blood disorders were caused by exposure to benzene.

The lawsuit …