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The Facts of the Case
The plaintiff worked at a Mobil Oil station in Philadelphia from 1975 to 1980. He said he was frequently exposed to benzene, a chemical found in gasoline and solvents. He often cleaned car parts without using protective gear.
In 2019, doctors diagnosed him with acute myeloid leukemia, a type of blood cancer linked to benzene exposure. He blamed his illness on years of exposure at his job. He argued that proper warnings from Mobil about benzene’s risks would have made him use safety equipment.
Benzene is a known carcinogen. The CDC states that long-term benzene exposure, lasting a year or more, can cause serious health problems. These include bone marrow damage, anemia, leukemia, and a weakened immune system. The National Institutes of Health warns that no level of benzene exposure is safe.
During a seven-day trial, the plaintiff’s attorneys presented evidence against Exxon Mobil. They showed that the company knew about benzene’s risks as early as 1950. Despite this, Exxon did not implement safety measures like vapor recovery systems or respirators. Mobil later merged with Exxon in 1998 to form Exxon Mobil Corporation.
The Verdict Increase
In May 2024, a jury found Exxon responsible for failing to warn about benzene’s dangers. The jury, in a 10-2 decision, awarded the plaintiff $725 million. They concluded that Exxon’s negligence and defective products played a major role in his cancer diagnosis.
Plaintiff’s attorney Patrick Wigle praised the verdict. He said ExxonMobil had known for decades that benzene caused cancer but refused to act. He thanked the jury for carefully reviewing the evidence and holding Exxon accountable.
Exxon challenged the verdict after the trial, calling it irrational. The company vowed to appeal. However, in September 2024, Judge Carmella Jacquinto rejected Exxon’s challenge. She added $91 million in delay damages, raising the total to $816 million.
Andrew DuPont, another attorney for the plaintiff, applauded the decision. He said the judge’s ruling reinforced the jury’s findings and Exxon’s accountability for the plaintiff’s injuries.
Takeaways for Attorneys
Exxon’s efforts to fight the verdict reflect a larger pattern. The company often tries to move lawsuits to federal courts, claiming federal law overrides state cases.
Many lawsuits against Exxon accuse it of misleading regulators about its products. These cases allege that Exxon downplayed the environmental and health impacts of its operations. Plaintiffs say this conduct has increased recovery and adaptation costs.
In this case, the plaintiff’s attorneys linked his cancer to Exxon’s history of negligence. They argued that ExxonMobil’s actions show a disregard for safety and public welfare. Framing cases within such patterns can help juries understand the broader impact of a company’s actions.
