Motley Rice Attorneys: Port Wentworth Sugar Refinery Fire Shows Absolute Importance Of Workplace Safety
Mount Pleasant, SC - The tragic and alarming fire at the Imperial Sugar Co.'s Port Wentworth refinery on February 7, 2008, serves as another reminder of the importance of workplace safety, particularly involving the responsibility of corporations and property owners to establish safe manufacturing processes and guidelines and maintain safe working conditions such as sprinklers, fire escapes and the appropriate storage of flammable materials.
Motley Rice attorneys have long worked to improve the lives of workers throughout the United States. From representing workers injured in workplace incidents, disasters or other catastrophic events, to fighting for worker rights regarding occupational disease, such as the harmful exposure to asbestos, Motley Rice has established relationships with unions nationwide to provide positive and effective changes in the workplace and beyond.
Several of the firm's attorneys have been involved with complex litigation cases related to loss and personal injury resulting from catastrophic fires. In most cases, recovery for loss and personal injury due to a fire is sought under premise liability, negligence and products liability legal theories.
"The tragic fire yesterday at Port Wentworth underscores how important it is to maintain the utmost workplace safety at all times," said Motley Rice member attorney Kevin Dean. "I hope this will capture the attention of the industry and encourage them to constantly monitor the safety of their employees and make improvements if needed to prevent such losses."
Motley Rice attorneys' experience representing victims of fires, other disasters and industrial incidents includes:
Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire
Motley Rice attorneys represent the estates of two of the nine firefighters killed in the June 18, 2007, Sofa Super Store fire in Charleston, SC. Today, investigations continue into the safety of the store's structure and adherence to fire codes.
Wrongful Death in Case of Charleston Port Worker
Motley Rice represents the family of a 52-year old longshoreman at the Port of Charleston who was crushed by a container and killed in July 2004 – the first of three fatalities at a state port in less than one year. The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the crane manufacturer and terminal owner in 2005.
Graniteville, SC, Train Disaster
After a train collision in Graniteville, SC, in early 2005, a deadly chlorine spill affected the entire community. Motley Rice attorneys represented hundreds of clients in a class action lawsuit seeking recovery for property damages as well as individuals in personal injury cases.
September 11, 2001, Litigation
Motley Rice attorneys represent hundreds of families of the victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, including crew members onboard the four airplanes as well as firefighters on the ground.
To discuss fires such as the February 7, 2008, fire at Imperial Sugar Co.'s Port Wentworth facility, you can directly contact Motley Rice attorney Kevin Dean (GA, SC), who co-leads the firm's Catastrophic Injury practice group, at (843) 834-1130 or kdean@motleyrice.com.
SOURCE: Motley Rice LLC