US plastics producer faces $1M lawsuit after plant explosion

^{A worker has filed a lawsuit against specialty chemicals producer Kuraray America, after being injured in an explosion at one of the company’s sites.}

On 19 May, a fire occurred at Kuraray’s Eval plant in Pasadena, Texas, injuring 21 people out of the 266 employees working. The fire was started after a pressure safety valve failed causing an over-pressurisation in a pipe, resulting in a plume of fire.  

Now, employee Eduardo Rodriguez is suing the company for $1 million in damages, accusing it of gross negligence and failing to enforce safety rules and guidelines. At the time of the explosion, Rodriguez was working atop a 25ft scaffold and was forced to jump to the ground after being badly burned, his lawyer alleges.

In total, 21 employees were injured in the explosion, with two needing to be airlifted to hospital. Workers reportedly suffered serious injuries but fortunately none are thought to be life-threatening.

Speaking about the incident, plant manager Eric Bass said: “On behalf of Kuraray America, we send our thoughts and prayers to those who were injured and impacted by today’s incident.”