Couple Sues Companies over Butadiene Exposure
Posted by Administrator (admin) on Aug 20 2009 at 4:46 PM
Butadiene >>

A Jefferson County woman and her husband are suing a number of petrochemical companies in the Port Neches-Groves area, claiming that the woman developed brain cancer as a result of her exposure to chemical emissions near the schools she attended.

According to the lawsuit filed Aug. 14 in Jefferson County District Court, Teri N. Segura’s problems began after she was exposed to butadiene while attending elementary and middle schools in Groves. The Seguras claims that she inhaled the carcinogen at Port Neches-Groves High School, which she attended from 1990 until 1994.

The plaintiffs say the butadiene that Mrs. Segura inhaled was emitted from a Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber (SBR) complex consisting of three petrochemical facilities in Port Neches. The facilities were producing butadiene and synthetic rubber.

The Seguras allege that tens of thousands of people living or working near the Port Neches SBR complex have been exposed to butadiene since 1943. Butadiene exposure is associated with brain tumors and several lymphohematopoietic cancers.

Huntsman Petrochemical Corp., Goodrich Corp., American Synthetic Rubber Corp., Atlantic Richfield Co., Total Petrochemicals USA, BASF Corp., Bayer Corporation, Borg-Warner Automotive Transmission and Engine Components Corp., BP Amoco Chemical Co., BP Products North America, CanadianOxy Offshore Production Co., Chevron USA, ConocoPhillips Co., The Dow Chemical Co., Eastman Chemical Co., Formosa Plastics Corp., Industrial Solvents Corp., Michelin North America, Mitsubishi International Corp., Mitsui and Co., Pharmacia Corp., Sabic Pharmaceuticals Holding US, Sasol North America, Shell Oil Co., Synpol, Texaco, Texas Petrochemicals, Union Carbide Corp., Uniroyal, Vinmar and Williams Olefins are the companies named in the lawsuit.

As a result of her disease, Teri N. Segura incurred medical costs, suffered loss of earnings as well as earning capacity, and experienced pain, suffering, mental anguish, physical and mental impairment and disfigurement, the lawsuit states. The complaint also states Mr. Segura has lost consortium and household services.

The Seguras are seeking actual and punitive damages, plus costs, pre-judgment interest and any other relief to which they may be entitled.

Judge Bob Wortham of 58th District Court will be presiding over the case.

Comments