New Lawsuits Filed in Deadly Explosion
AP
City of Middletown is looking to recoup $315,000 in expenses from power plant explosion response.
The gas explosion that killed six people and injured fifty others at the Kleen Energy plant in Middletown was caused by the carelessness and negligence of three separate companies, according to attorneys for some of the victims.
Thursday, the lawyers filed lawsuits in Middletown Superior Court against O & G Industries of Torrington, Bluewater Energy Solutions of Acworth, Georgia, and Kleen Energy Systems of Middletown.
There was no dollar amount attached to the suits. The lawyers said that would be determined by a jury if the cases ever went to trial. They are, however, asking for fair, just and reasonable money damages.
In documents, the lawyers say the basis of their suits is that these three companies were pushing to get construction at the plant completed as quickly as possible.
$1 million dollars or more in bonuses were to be paid out to the companies if the work was completed by a certain date, according to the victims' attorneys.
The lawyers say that is why necessary precautions were not taken, resulting in the explosion.
They also say rush to get the job done as quickly as possible is why workers were inside the plant on Feb 7, 2010, Super Bowl Sunday.
That day, a process in which pipes are cleaned out by high-pressure natural gas was underway when something ignited the gas, causing the explosion.
The attorneys said that they've made three visits to the plant and also examined some of the equipment that is used there.
They said that even though the filings of the suits took place Thursday, it could be years before there is any resolution to the cases.
The three companies charged in the suits have declined comment.
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