Acute myelogenous leukemia lawsuits are filed by people diagnosed with the cancer after years of benzene exposure at work. They allege that makers and employers knew about the cancer risk and failed to warn them.
No class action or combined lawsuit has been formed. The one verified case, Gill v. Exxon Mobil Corp., reached a jury verdict of $725.5 million. That amount was later raised to almost $816 million with delay damages.
The case is now on appeal before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Other benzene-AML lawsuits remain separate claims nationwide. The sections below explain who qualifies, what to keep, and when to act.
- Case or litigation name: No consolidated litigation; the leading verified case is Gill v. Exxon Mobil Corp.
- Defendants: Varies by case; Exxon Mobil Corp. in the verified Gill case
- Court and docket number, when available: Gill v. Exxon Mobil Corp.: Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas verdict; on appeal, Pennsylvania Superior Court No. 2811 EDA 2024
- MDL number, judge, and case count, when an MDL exists: No MDL. The JPML’s July 1, 2026 pending-MDL list carries no benzene or AML docket
- Filing date: No single filing date; cases are filed individually. Gill v. Exxon Mobil Corp. went to trial in May 2024
- Main allegations: Failure to warn that benzene exposure causes cancer, including AML, and was a substantial factor in the diagnosis
- Products or people involved: Long-term occupational or environmental benzene exposure (gasoline, solvents, industrial products); people later diagnosed with AML
Table Of Contents
- Latest Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Lawsuit Updates
- What Is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia?
- What Is the Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Lawsuit About?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Potential Compensation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I Need to Live in Pennsylvania to File an Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Lawsuit?
- Was the Refinery Worker Leukemia Study Based on a Large Group of Cases?
- Does the U.S. Government Classify Benzene as a Known Carcinogen?
- What Evidence Did IARC Cite for Benzene’s Group 1 Rating?
- Can a Family Member Bring an Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Lawsuit After a Death?
- References
Latest Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Lawsuit Updates
June 23, 2025: Exxon Mobil’s Appeal Reaches the Pennsylvania Superior Court
Exxon Mobil Corp.‘s appeal of the Gill v. Exxon Mobil Corp. verdict remained pending before the Pennsylvania Superior Court. The case is docketed as No. 2811 EDA 2024. Briefing on the appeal was underway.
The appeal followed a trial court ruling from months earlier. That ruling upheld the jury’s award and added delay damages. No appeals court ruling had come as of this update.
September 12, 2024: Court Upholds $725.5 Million Verdict, Adds Delay Damages
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Carmella Jacquinto ruled on September 12, 2024. She denied Exxon Mobil’s post-trial motions, arguing the evidence didn’t support the failure-to-warn claim. She also added over $90 million in delay damages [1].
The ruling raised the total award to almost $816 million. The plaintiffs’ firm said the verdict was the largest ever in a benzene case.
May 9, 2024: Philadelphia Jury Awards $725.5 Million Against Exxon Mobil
A Philadelphia jury awarded Paul Gill $725.5 million. Jurors found that Exxon Mobil Corp. failed to warn about the cancer risk of benzene in its gasoline and other products [2].
Gill worked as a service station mechanic from 1974 to 1979. He was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Jurors ruled for Gill on the failure-to-warn claim.
What Is Acute Myelogenous Leukemia?
Acute myelogenous leukemia is also called acute myeloid leukemia, or AML. It is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. The National Cancer Institute says the bone marrow makes a large number of abnormal blood cells [3].
The lawsuits on this page are about people who got AML after years of benzene exposure. The sections below cover who may be affected, what evidence to keep, the deadlines, and the compensation claimed.
What Is the Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Lawsuit About?
Lawsuits over acute myelogenous leukemia allege that long-term benzene exposure caused the cancer. The exposure often came from gasoline, solvents, or work chemicals. Plaintiffs also allege the company knew of the risk. They say it did not warn users.
In the Gill case, the jury reached a key finding. Exxon Mobil’s gasoline was a big factor in Paul Gill’s diagnosis. Gill developed it after years working as a mechanic in the 1970s.
No multidistrict litigation (MDL) has been formed over these benzene-linked AML claims [4]. Each lawsuit moves on its own in state or federal court. Results vary by court and the facts of each case.
Who May Be Affected?
People most likely to be affected worked for years in jobs that use or make benzene. ATSDR names gas station workers, firefighters, and dry cleaners among those exposed [5].
The worker studies behind benzene’s cancer rating looked at oil refineries and chemical plants. The one verified case here fits that pattern. The plaintiff was a gas station mechanic in the 1970s. He was diagnosed decades later.
Exposure at home counts too. ATSDR warns that leaking underground fuel tanks can send benzene vapors into homes. It also advises against storing gasoline cans in an attached garage. Cigarette smoke is the most common source.
These claims involve acute myelogenous leukemia and related blood disorders. A legal review decides whether a given history supports a claim.
Reported Injuries or Damages
Long-term benzene exposure can result in bone marrow cancers. That includes acute myelogenous leukemia. That is according to CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
In 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified benzene as a Group 1 carcinogen. That is its top cancer-risk class. One cohort study found an SMR of 394 for leukemia among refinery workers [6].
Lawsuits also allege injury separate from this research. Each claim still needs its own diagnosis and exposure history as proof.
The Gill jury’s causation finding, discussed above, is one proven example. It relied on medical records and years of job records.
Evidence to Preserve
Anyone with a benzene-related AML claim should gather these records before meeting a lawyer:
- Work records or timesheets that show the job site, duties, and dates of exposure
- Product labels, container marks, or safety sheets that name the gasoline, solvent, or chemical
- Medical records and lab reports that confirm the AML diagnosis and its date
- Pay stubs, staff files, or union records that show work dates and place
- Letters or emails about chemical safety, air flow, or safety gear
General facts about toxic exposure claims can explain how this proof is often used. A lawyer typically reviews it too. That background appears on Schmidt & Clark’s benzene exposure lawsuit page.
Filing Deadlines
Deadlines to file an acute myelogenous leukemia lawsuit are set by state law. They depend on where you live, when the benzene exposure happened, and when AML was diagnosed.
Exposure and diagnosis are often years apart, and some states start the clock at diagnosis, not exposure. A missed deadline can end a claim no matter how strong the facts are. Check yours with a lawyer as soon as possible.
Potential Compensation
Payouts in benzene-related AML cases can include several types. These cover medical bills and lost pay. They can also cover pain and suffering. The type depends on facts proven at trial.
In the Gill verdict, the jury’s award covered the failure to warn. The court later added delay damages to that award. The final total reached almost $816 million.
Compensation amounts vary by case. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. A personal case review can show potential compensation. It varies for each case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need to Live in Pennsylvania to File an Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Lawsuit?
No, you do not need to live in Pennsylvania to file an acute myelogenous leukemia lawsuit. The Gill case was heard there because the claim was brought there. Residency is not required. Each claim is filed where a court has power over its facts.
Was the Refinery Worker Leukemia Study Based on a Large Group of Cases?
No, the refinery worker leukemia study behind the SMR of 394 was not based on a large group. That figure came from just eight cases. The confidence interval was wide, from 172 to 788. Benzene itself still holds a strong Group 1 rating.
Does the U.S. Government Classify Benzene as a Known Carcinogen?
Yes, the U.S. government lists benzene as a known human carcinogen. The finding comes from the Department of Health and Human Services. CDC’s toxic-substances agency, ATSDR, reports it. It is separate from the Group 1 rating cited above.
What Evidence Did IARC Cite for Benzene’s Group 1 Rating?
IARC cited studies of exposed workers for benzene’s Group 1 rating. Those workers had higher rates of acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, an older name for AML. IARC called the human evidence “sufficient” in its 1987 review, Monographs Supplement 7.
Can a Family Member Bring an Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Lawsuit After a Death?
Yes, a family member may be able to bring an acute myelogenous leukemia lawsuit after a death, depending on state law and the family’s situation. A lawyer confirms who qualifies before anything is filed, and nothing here promises a claim exists.
References
- https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2024/09/16/793075.htm
- https://www.law360.com/articles/1835916/exxon-hit-with-725m-verdict-in-benzene-exposure-suit
- https://www.cancer.gov/types/leukemia/patient/adult-aml-treatment-pdq
- https://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/Pending_MDL_Dockets_By_Actions_Pending-July-1-2026.pdf
- https://wwwn.cdc.gov/TSP/ToxFAQs/ToxFAQsDetails.aspx?faqid=38&toxid=14
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK533594/