Products Liability Law Reporter
Verdicts & Settlements: Commercial Products
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Failure to warn about dangers of benzene in gasoline
August 13, 2024Mechanic Paul Gill was exposed to benzene in ExxonMobil products, including gasoline, while working at a Mobil service station in Philadelphia between 1975 and 1980. He was later diagnosed as having acute myeloid leukemia.
He and his wife sued ExxonMobil Corp., alleging negligence and defective design. The plaintiffs asserted that the defendant concealed information about the dangers of its benzene-containing products. Suit alleged these hazards were known since at least 1950 and such information would have spurred businesses to use vapor recovery systems and encourage employees to use respirators to limit exposure.
The jury awarded $725 million, including $500,000 for loss of consortium.
Citation: Gill v. ExxonMobil Corp., No. 2005-01803 (Pa. Ct. Com. Pl. Phila. Cnty. May 9, 2024).
Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Patrick J. Wigle, Dallas; AAJ member Rajeev Mittal, Los Angeles; and AAJ member Andrew J. DuPont, Philadelphia.
