Four Complaints Filed Against Missouri Oil Refinery Allege Benzene Exposure

KANSAS CITY -- Four complaints have been filed in the last month alleging that an oil refinery adjacent to several neighborhoods allowed benzene and other toxic gases to leak into childhood playing areas, causing a variety of diseases in residents, including one plaintiff who developed both non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and leukemia. Reed v. BP Corporation North America Inc., et al.; Williams, et al., v. BP Corporation North America, et al.; Hedrick, et al., v. BP Corporation North America, Inc, et al.; Detel v. BP Corporation North America, Inc, et al., No. n/a (Mo. Cir. Ct., Jackson Cty.).

The Missouri Circuit Court …