Court Denies Challenges to Product Identification in Benzene Case

LOS ANGELES -- A California court has denied a defense motion for summary judgment in a benzene case, determining that a plaintiff's inability to identify a specific defendant's product does not warrant summary judgment unless the defendant has demonstrated that there are no other means of product identification available. Garcia v. Fisher Scientific International Inc., No. BC340503 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

The Los Angeles County Superior Court entered the decision Dec. 22, in which it also denied a summary judgment motion asserted by Illinois Tool Works challenging expert testimony.

Sergio Garcia sued several companies, claiming that exposure to …