People Start to File Lawsuits Against West Fertilizer Owner for Negligence

Lawsuit against the owner of the West, Texas fertilizer plant that exploded and destroyed much of the community.

Adair Grain Inc., the parent of West Fertilizer Co., are Acadia Insurance Company, Continental Western Insurance Company, and Union Standard Insurance Company and Union Standard Lloyds, according to the suit. The companies insure individuals, churches and businesses affected by the massive blast April 17.

A Berkley spokesperson says the company had no comment, but according to the suit filed in McLennon County district court, Acadia insured a bank; Continental Western insured a car dealership; Union Standard Lloyds wrote a TV and appliance business, an auto supply store and a bakery; and Union Standard Insurance covered two churches and an inn.

The Berkley companies allege negligence in the operation of the facility, a fertilizer retailer. They say shockwaves, debris and flammeable material "caused severe damages" to the policyholders' properties and businesses.

"[Adair's] negligent act and omissions were the proximate cause of the explosion that resulted in damages to the plaintiffs," reads the lawsuit.

According to the latest tally from the Insurance Council of Texas, the number of homes destroyed has climbed to 140.

A school, a retirement home and an apartment complex were also heavily damaged.

Fifteen people died as a result of the blast and up to 200 people were injured.

A single mom, who with her young son "lost all their worldly possessions" in the fertilizer plant explosion that devastated West, Texas, is among the first people to sue the plant's owner.  Andrea Jones Gutierrez filed a lawsuit against Adair Grain on Monday. She is seeking up to $1 million.

A grandmother who was injured in the West explosion has filed a lawsuit against Adair Grain, Inc, saying the company who owned the plant showed, "conscious indifference," to local residents in the way it stored and handled dangerous materials.

Sources... http://www.kcentv.com/ , http://www.propertycasualty360.com/ , http://usnews.nbcnews.com/ ,