La. Federal Judge Remands Benzene Case, Finds No Proof that Jurisdictional Minimum Has Been Met

NEW ORLEANS — A Louisiana federal judge has remanded a benzene exposure case to state court, ruling that the defendants failed to prove that the jurisdictional minimum has been met.

On Sept. 30, Judge Helen G. Berrigan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana explained that the record lacks evidence of significant medical expenses, a final diagnosis or prognosis, the length of any alleged disability or whether further medical treatment will be required.

On May 29, Patrick McGruder sued Motiva Enterprises LLC and Shell Oil Co. in the 29th Judicial District Court for the Parish of …