Paul Gill, et al. v. ExxonMobil Corporation

Case Background

On May 28, 2020, Paul and Diane Gill filed a negligence lawsuit against ExxonMobil Corp., U.S. Steel Corp., Radiator Specialty Co., Atlantic Richfield Co., CRC Industries Inc., Sunoco LLC, Safety-Kleen Systems Inc., Shell Oil Co., Berryman Products Inc., Univar USA Inc., Ashland LLC, Brenntag Southwest, Union Oil Co. of California, The Blaster Corp., Illinois Tool Works Inc., Henkel Corp., and Root Oil Co. Inc. ("Defendants"). The case was brought in the Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, Court of Common Pleas. They claimed that these companies were responsible for the negligence that involved exposing Paul Gill to benzene-containing products during his work at gas stations in New York and Pennsylvania. Judge Carmella Jacquinto presided over this case. [Case number: 2005-01803]

Cause

Paul Gill (“Plaintiff”) lived in Addison, New York, along with his wife, Diane Gill. Paul Gill worked for several employers where he was exposed to benzene-containing products from the Defendants. His employment history includes: - Painted Post ARCO, at North Hamilton and Pulteney Streets, Painted Post, NY, in 1974 - Cole’s Garage, Summer Main Street, Hamilton Valley, PA, from 1975 to 1980 - Leland Harris Dairy Farm, 856 River Road, Lindley, NY, from 1986 to 1993 or 1994 During his work as a Mobil service station mechanic from 1975 to 1980, Paul Gill frequently handled various benzene-containing products such as solvents, adhesives, degreasers, oils, and gasoline. The Defendants were responsible for manufacturing, processing, packaging, selling, distributing, marketing, supplying, and placing these products into the market. In addition to his work, Paul used benzene-containing products in non-work-related activities from about 1972 to 2019. He was exposed to ingredients like xylene, toluene, mineral spirits, hexane, naphthas, ethylbenzene, and other hydrocarbons, which were also managed by the Defendants. Paul’s exposure to these products came from inhaling their vapors and through skin contact. This included direct contact with the products, touching clothes contaminated by these substances, and being exposed to benzene vapors in the air.

Injury

Due to his exposure to the Defendants' benzene-containing products and their wrongful actions, Plaintiff developed Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Initially, Plaintiff was unaware of the link between his cancer and the benzene in the Defendants’ products. Over time, he learned of this connection. As a result of AML and its treatments, the Plaintiff endured various side effects, and conditions. These issues led to pain, suffering, and disability. Additionally, he faced disfigurement, deformity, and physical impairment. The treatments also caused mental anguish, anxiety, and humi