EDWARDSVILLE – An man is suing gasoline companies, alleging pollution produced by their oil refineries in Wood River and Roxana caused him to develop childhood leukemia.
Plaintiff Jason Gimmy filed the lawsuit in the Madison County Circuit Court against defendants BP Products North America, Inc., HWRT Oil Company and Piasa Enterprises, citing negligence and willful and wanton misconduct.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff was born on Nov. 14, 1975 and raised around areas in Madison County including Roxana and Wood River. These are areas where the defendants have a history of building and operating oil refineries. The lawsuit states that the refineries produce fuels containing toxic chemicals. Gimmy claims it is the defendants' responsibility to carefully manage in order to prevent the toxic chemicals from leaking into the surrounding region and causing a benzene plume that would pollute the air, ground and groundwater.
Gimmy claims that as a result of living for decades in the same areas as the defendants' oil refineries, he has been exposed to toxic chemicals that have been released into the air, soil and groundwater around his home and the surrounding community. Gimmy claims he developed childhood leukemia at the age of four and has had to undergo chemotherapy and other medical treatments his whole life. He alleges he has suffered physically, mentally, and financially as a result of the defendants' negligence.
The lawsuit states that the defendants have known of the presence of the benzene plume. Gimmy also claims the defendants are aware of their responsibility for the continued presence of the plume but have taken no action to stop its effect on the surrounding community.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus court costs, attorney fees and any other relief the court deems proper. He is represented in this case by attorney Ted N. Gianaris of Gianaris Trial Lawyers in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2022LA001325