The Texas fertilizer plant that exploded last month, killing 14 people, injuring more than 200 others and causing tens of millions of dollars in damage to the surrounding area had only $1 million in liability coverage, lawyers said Saturday.Tyler lawyer Randy C. Roberts said he and other attorneys who have filed lawsuits against West Fertilizer’s owners were told Thursday that the plant carried only $1 million in liability insurance. Brook Laskey, an attorney hired by the plant’s insurer to represent West Fertilizer Co., confirmed the amount Saturday in an email to The Associated Press, after the Dallas Morning News first reported it.“The bottom line is, this lack of insurance coverage is just consistent with the overall lack of responsibility we’ve seen from the fertilizer plant, starting from the fact that from day one they have yet to acknowledge responsibility,” Roberts said. MOREthank you gregory
Lawsuits Filed in West Fertilizer Company Explosion in Texas
April 24, 2013 — Reuters reports that Donald Adair, the owner of Adair Grain Inc. and West Fertilizer Company, is facing two lawsuits for the fertilizer plant explosion last week in West, Texas. According to court filings, both lawsuits were filed in McLennan County district court and accuse Adair Grain of being “negligent in the operation of its facility,” creating an unreasonably dangerous condition, which led to the fire and explosion.”
The spokesman for West Fertilizer and Adair, Daniel Keeney, issued this statement in response to the lawsuits:
“We decline to comment on any pending litigation. Our focus remains on the fact finding. We continue to do everything we can to understand what happened to ensure nothing like this ever happens again in any community. To that end, the owners and staff of West Fertilizer Co. are working closely with investigating agencies. We have encouraged all employees to assist in the fact finding to whatever degree possible.”
Andrea Jones Gutierrez, a working mother with one child who lived in the apartment building next door to the fertilizer plant, filed a lawsuit after the explosion destroyed her home and all of her possessions. She is seeking $500,000 to $1 million in damages for loss of personal property and unspecified physical and emotional injuries.
W.R. Berkley Corporation also filed a lawsuit on behalf of four subsidiary insurance companies that insure individuals, churches, businesses, a car dealership, and a bakery in West. Those companies include:
- Acadia Insurance Company
- Continental Western Insurance Company
- Union Standard Lloyds
- Union Standard Insurance Company
Misty Lambert, 37, was injured in the West Fertilizer Co. plant explosion near Waco, Texas. She lived in the apartment complex that sits directly behind the plant.
Misty Lambert, 37, suffered cuts to her face, chest and arms when a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, exploded and the blast blew in windows and flattened homes in the area, including hers.
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Misty Lambert, 37, suffered cuts to her face, chest and arms when a fertilizer plant in West, Texas, exploded and the blast blew in windows and flattened homes in the area, including hers.R
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