LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Two local residents are taking legal action against Givaudan Flavors Corporation following a significant explosion at their Kentucky plant earlier this month. The plaintiffs, Edward Roberts and Ana Carolina Gomez Bridge, have filed a lawsuit claiming that the Nov. 12 incident not only caused damage to their homes but also led to emotional distress.
The lawsuit, submitted on Tuesday, accuses Givaudan and its parent company, Givaudan U.S., of negligence prior to the explosion of a cooking vessel within the facility. This explosion resulted in the destruction of the building, claimed the lives of two employees, and scattered debris into nearby yards and residences. Roberts and Bridge reside in a house that directly backs onto the plant.
“The way Givaudan operated their business was utterly irresponsible, leading to disastrous outcomes,” stated Tad Thomas, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, in a press release.
In response to the lawsuit, Givaudan acknowledged their liability for the damage incurred by the surrounding properties. Ann Leonard, president of the company, expressed in a community meeting last week that there is a possibility the plant will relocate and be rebuilt away from the neighborhood.
Additionally, the family of one of the employees who lost their life in the blast is reportedly seeking legal counsel as they consider a potential lawsuit. Another separate lawsuit has been initiated by Charles Fowler, a food delivery driver who experienced the explosion firsthand. In his claim, Fowler alleges that the incident has exacerbated his post-traumatic stress disorder from his time serving in Iraq.
The explosion had a profound impact on several nearby homes, shattering windows and causing damage such as pictures falling off walls and cracked drywall. At a community meeting, residents voiced their concerns, particularly how their children were frightened by the loud noise of the event.
In 911 calls that surfaced this week, local residents describe the loud explosion and the ensuing smoke. One woman recounted how her house shook from the force, and another nearby resident detailed witnessing the explosion and the chaos it caused.
“There was a massive blast,” he reported. “The lights flickered, and there’s a lot of smoke coming from the plant. It smells like something exploded,” he added.
The latest lawsuit reveals that Roberts was in the basement of his home during the explosion, which resulted in broken windows and damage to the foundation. Both plaintiffs claim to be experiencing physical pain and suffering, with Bridge specifically mentioning severe emotional distress that has necessitated therapy, as indicated in the legal documents.
Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that employees had previously expressed concerns to Givaudan about the overheating of the cooking vessel but that no adequate measures were taken to address the issue, allowing operations to continue as usual.