Jury awards $13.6M to 4 workers in plant explosion; more lawsuits coming

A Louisiana jury has awarded four workers a total of almost $13.6 million for the injuries they suffered in a 2013 explosion at a petrochemical plant. Two were killed and 114 were injured in the explosion. More lawsuits are yet to be heard in the case.

The jury in Iberville Parish said Williams Companies Inc. and two plant officials were negligent and knew with substantial certainty that the deadly fire and resulting explosion would occur.

The parent company had argued its local branch, Williams Olefins, was the responsible party. An attorney for the four injured workers said it was an attempt to “shift blame onto their shell company.”

Jurors found Williams Companies 95% responsible, holding company Williams Olefins 3% responsible, and two supervisors each 1% responsible.

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