Benzene Plaintiffs Oppose Motion to Transfer Venue, Say Court Must Determine if It Has Jurisdiction First

NEW ORLEANS – Benzene plaintiffs with claims pending in Pennsylvania federal court have asked the court to deny a defense motion to transfer venue, saying that the court must weigh in on the pending motion to remand before determining venue.

In a Dec. 23 opposition brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the plaintiffs maintained that the court should first address the issue as to whether it has subject matter jurisdiction.

The complaint, originally filed in Pennsylvania state court, alleged that Rudolph Johnson worked as a laborer, mechanic and construction worker for nearly …