Suit Filed on October 6, 2006 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Raleigh Division, by Parker & Waichman, LLP, Greg Jones & Associates, PA, Neblett, Beard Arsenault, Becnel Law Firm, LLC & Law Offices of Ronnie G. Penton
NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- A group of prominent personal injury law firms collectively filed a class action lawsuit yesterday on behalf of thousands of individuals and businesses in and around Apex, North Carolina against EQ Industrial Services and EQ Holding Company. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Raleigh Division, and alleges that the explosion and massive fire at EQ's facility in Apex, North Carolina was a result of the company's negligence, which needlessly endangered the safety of thousands of people, damaged property and interrupted business activity.
The group of firms, which include: Parker & Waichman, LLP, Greg Jones & Associates, PA, Neblett, Beard Arsenault, Becnel Law Firm, LLC & the Law Offices of Ronnie G. Penton, continue to evaluate individual cases involving personal injury, property damage, lost wages and business interruption. To request a free individual case evaluation please visit www.apexchemicalfire.com and www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/apex_hazardous_materials_fire, or call 1-800-LAW-INF0 (1-800-529-4636).
EQ Industrial Services and EQ Holding Company were previously warned about unsafe conditions at the facility. EQ was cited and fined in March 2006 for violating North Carolina regulatory waste regulations due to its failure to properly contain hazardous waste materials on its property. Plant explosions are nothing new to EQ; in August 2005, another plant run by Environmental Quality Co., just outside of Detroit in Romulus, Michigan, burst into flames, forcing 2000 residents to evacuate.
The lawsuit alleges that EQ's negligent actions caused a massive chemical explosion, resulting in chlorine and other hazardous materials to enter the air and surrounding community. Chlorine gas is highly toxic and was used as a chemical weapon during World War I. Residents and businesses in Apex, North Carolina, and surrounding areas, suffered injuries and damages, and will continue to suffer substantial losses into the future. The suit seeks remedies for claims involving personal injury, property damage and business interruption.