Leon Mazza picked up his first wrench at about age 12. He spent the next 30 years as a mechanic and an appliance delivery truck driver, working with gasoline and other everyday shop products. In 2022, he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), an aggressive cancer of the blood and bone marrow.
Locks Law Firm represented Mr. Mazza in a products liability lawsuit against the companies that made and sold those benzene-containing products. That case has now been resolved through settlements with multiple defendants totaling more than $3 million.
From about 1970 until 2021, Mr. Mazza was routinely exposed to gasoline and other benzene-containing products in the course of his work. His lawsuit, filed in Philadelphia, alleged that this exposure, together with the defendants’ tortious conduct, directly caused his AML.
According to the complaint, the defendants knew as early as 1948 that benzene could cause cancer, and they also knew that exposure to gasoline causes cancer. The lawsuit alleged the companies had the ability to reduce the benzene content of its gasoline but chose not to.
The complaint further alleged that the defendants understood what regulation would mean. If benzene were regulated as a carcinogen, the companies expected it would have to remove or reduce benzene in its gasoline and use vapor recovery systems to protect workers and the public.
“Leon Mazza spent his entire working life, starting as a child, working with products he had every reason to trust,” said Andrew DuPont, managing partner at Locks Law Firm. “For decades, the companies behind these products understood the cancer risk of benzene and had the means to reduce it. These settlements hold them accountable and provide Mr. Mazza and his family with a measure of justice and security.”
Benzene is a known human carcinogen linked to AML and other blood cancers. People in many trades can face elevated exposure, including:
- Automotive repair and mechanics
- Refinery and petrochemical work
- Transportation and fuel delivery
- Any job involving gasoline, solvents, or parts cleaners
In addition to this case, Locks Law Firm also settled serious-injury cases totaling over $4 million. These resolutions reflect the firm’s long-standing commitment to pursuing accountability and fair compensation for people whose lives have been disrupted by serious physical and psychological harm. Each case is different, but at Locks Law Firm, we stay plaintiff-first, focused on protecting clients’ rights and pursuing outcomes that recognize the full impact of their injuries.
If you have questions or concerns, please reach out for a free consultation.
