Arkansas Benzene Parties Disagree on Sufficiency of Pleadings

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Plaintiffs in an Arkansas benzene case have opposed a motion to dismiss their claims, while several of the defendants have sought to exclude experts proffered by the plaintiffs who have yet to file their reports. Johnese, et al. v. Ashland Chemical Inc., et al., No. 06-001632 (E.D. Ark.).

On Oct. 18, several defendants filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas to exclude plaintiff experts who did not provide reports, saying that of the eight experts designated by the plaintiffs, only two provided reports by the court's Sept. 10 deadline.