Benzene Plaintiffs Back Remand Efforts, Say They Have Valid Claims Against In-State Defendant

NEW ORLEANS –– Benzene plaintiffs in Louisiana have backed their motion for remand, contending that it has a reasonable basis for recovery against the lone in-state defendant.

In a reply brief filed Dec. 1 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, one of the plaintiffs argued that his own testimony establishes that there is a possibility of a recovery against Turner Industries Group.

In their complaint, Amon and Sandra Merritt contended that Amon Merritt’s exposure to benzene-containing products led him to develop chronic myeloid leukemia.

In their notice of removal, however, the defendants explained that the …