Louisiana Case Stalls with Causation and Jurisdictional Disputes

BATON ROUGE, La. -- A plaintiff asserting benzene claims under the Jones Act has asked a federal court to stay the action until the jurisdictional dispute in the case is resolved. Leger v. ExxonMobil Corp., et al., No. 06-00502 (M.D. La.).

The request for the stay was entered on Aug. 8, the same day Harold and Wanda Leger also asked the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana to remand their claims, saying that the assertion of claims under the Jones Act justifies remand.

'Because cases involving Jones Act claims may not be removed, Plaintiffs' pleading of …