La. Federal Court Denies 3M Motion to Dismiss

NEW ORLEANS -- A Louisiana federal court has declined to dismiss benzene claims against 3M Co., finding that, considering the limited development of discovery in the proceedings, the facts were sufficiently pled against the defendant. Wright v. Shell Offshore Inc., et al., No. 10-02108 (E.D. La.).

In the Feb. 16 ruling, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana further opined that the facts pled against the company were plausible and were enough to give 3M Co. notice.

The lawsuit was filed by Eric and Carolyn Wright, who claim that Eric Wright was exposed to benzene-containing solvents …