Judge Schedules 3 More Trial Settings for 2008 in Sugar Creek Cases

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri judge overseeing more than 30 benzene cases has scheduled three more trial dates for 2008 and took a proposed fourth trial setting under advisement, sources told HarrisMartin. Reed v. BP Corp., No. 04cv209341 (Mo. Cir. Ct., Jackson Cty.).

The Missouri Circuit Court for Jackson County judge also agreed to expedite certain cases for reasons relating to the plaintiffs' age and illnesses, sources said.

Currently, there are two cases scheduled for trial this year. The first, Reed v. BP Corp. (No. 04cv209341), is a combined acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma benzene case slated …