Court Affirms Workers' Compensation Benefits to Man Alleging Benzene Exposure

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- An Arkansas Court of Appeals has affirmed workers' compensation benefits to a 51-year old man alleging benzene exposure, finding that the evidence sufficiently supported the plaintiff's claim. Southwire Specialty Production Inc., et al. v. Lackey, No. CA04-586 (Ark. Ct. App.).

In the Feb. 9 decision, the Court of Appeals found that determining the credibility of witnesses was exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Workers' Compensation Commission.

Plaintiff Anthony Lackey was awarded Workers' Compensation benefits after claiming his pre-existing pulmonary condition was aggravated by benzene exposure.

Lackey said that during the course of his employment at …