Two Workers Died from an Explosion that Occurred at a Processing Plant in Hinds County, Mississippi
Officials are conducting an investigation into an explosion that occurred at a processing plant in Hinds County, MS that killed two workers. The New York Times says the two workers, identified as William Jackson, 51, and Terrence Fortenberry, 56, suffered severe burns after an explosion happened at DAR PRO Solutions recycling plant. The source says the plant “collects and recycles cooking oil and meat byproducts,” which are typically used to manufacture dog food.
After the explosion occurred, the two workers were transported to the burn unit at Merit Health Central hospital and that is where both succumbed to their injuries just a few days later. Hinds County Coroner, Sharon Grisham-Steward, said both men died from complications of thermal burns. Although officials from the processing plant have not yet provided any details as to what may have caused the explosion, an official did confirm that an internal investigation was being conducted.
Typically, when an accident occurs in the workplace, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sends out investigators to determine what happened and why. If officials with the agency determine state/federal regulations were being violated and those violations served as a factor in the incident, the company will likely be cited and fined. Although it isn’t clear whether DAR PRO Solutions was in violation of any standards at the time of the explosion, if it was, it wouldn’t be the first time.
The news source highlighted that OSHA cited DAR PRO Solutions for three serious violations back in 2017. One of the citations stemmed from a ladder issue. Apparently, “a fixed ladder on a plant silo was not maintained in [a] safe condition.” The source also says OSHA cited the company for “violations with a mechanical power apparatus and a powered industrial truck.” The company allegedly settled with OSHA for $12,604 to satisfy those fines.
Can a Jackson, MS employee sue their employer for the injuries they suffered in a workplace accident?
Employers are required to provide employees with a safe and hazard-free environment to work in. If employees are required to work under potentially dangerous conditions, they must be trained to do so and equipped with the proper safety gear to reduce the chances of an accident happening. But, if an employer fails to ensure a workplace setting is safe or allows a worker to perform tasks he/she is not trained to complete, they can be held liable for the injuries a worker suffers in an accident.
If you were involved in an accident at work and would like to find out if you have a case against the company, contact Jackson, MS personal injury attorney William E. Ballard. While some workers may be entitled to recover workers’ comp benefits while they work toward recovering, others may have a viable personal injury case against their employer.
You can reach Ballard Law, PLLC at:
108 S. President Street
Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: 769-572-5111
Website: www.ballardlaw.ms
