A new benzene lawsuit has been filed in Texas against 67 defendant corporations. The suit, filed on behalf of the family of a deceased man, alleges that the man’s death from acute myelogenous leukemia was caused by wrongful exposure to benzene.
Vickie and Michael Johnson lost their husband and father Cloyce Michael Johnson to acute myelogenous leukemia, (ACL), in march of 2007. This rare blood cancer is caused by benzene exposure.
Like many who suffer from ACL Johnson worked for large industrial corporations. He worked from 1968 to 2007 as a pipe fitter, pipe fitter welder, boilermaker and mechanical supervisor.
The suit alleges that the defendants released benzene into the air, although they were fully aware of the dangers.
Defendants include:
- Exxon Mobile
- Dow Chemical
- Goodyear
- Monsanto
- BP Amaco
- Union Carbide
- Shell
- U.S. Steel
Too many workers have paid the the price for what appears a systemic lack of concern regarding toxic emissions by US industry. Hopefully this and other suits like it will tip the scales in favor of corporate responsibility for their workers health where on the job chemical exposure is a risk, and safer handling and storage and disposal procedures for benzene and all dangerous chemicals.
Tags: benzene "acute myelogenous leukemia" "dangerous chemicals" cancer "toxic emissions", dangerous chemicals, toxic emissions