posted by on Aug 28
BP Benzene Class action lawsuit
BP oil giant has been named in another class action lawsuit, this time in its Texas City oil refinery. The BP Benzene lawsuit claims BP released Benzene and other harmful chemicals and both workers and residents in the area were exposed to these toxic substances. This lawsuit was filed August 3, just after BP announced it had capped the oil leak in the Gulf, which had caused the company billions of dollars in an oil spill class action lawsuit.
The suit alleges that benzene was released into the atmosphere, causing harm to just over 2200 plaintiffs, which include workers and residents who claim they’re suffered serious illness and injury due to exposure to benzene. The benzene was supposedly released from the refinery near Galveston, which suffered an breakdown on April 6. The breakdown occurred in a hydrogen compressor at the plant, and allegedly caused benzene to be released into the air.
Benzene has been linked to serious health problems like leukemia, cancer, and other life-threatening health issues. It’s a known carcinogen.
BP, formerly known as British Petroleum, runs the Texas City Oil Refinery, which is the third largest in the United States. The refinery has been the subject of several major safety concerns. In 2005, an explosion and fire at the refinery killed 15 workers. The refinery has already been the subject of a class action lawsuit, over safely issues discovered during inspections after the 2005 fire. They were ordered to set up better pollution controls and to fund a clean air project for Texas City.
The BP benzene lawsuit could have similar outcomes, including fines, upgrades, and public programs.