Givaudan Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Louisville Plant Explosion

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Givaudan's negligence caused a deadly explosion at its Louisville, Kentucky plant, resulting in injuries, property damage, and evacuations.

Consumers Affected: Individuals within a one-mile radius of the Givaudan plant in Louisville.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Louisville Division

Givaudan Flavors Corporation is facing a class action lawsuit following a deadly explosion at its Louisville, Kentucky, manufacturing plant. The November 12 incident killed two employees, injured several others, and caused widespread damage to nearby homes and businesses.

Plaintiffs Edward Roberts and Ana Carolina Gomez Bridge filed the lawsuit in Kentucky federal court, accusing the company of negligence. According to the filing, Givaudan failed to maintain and monitor its equipment properly, leading to the catastrophic event.

Givaudan Plant Explosion Caused by Negligence, Lawsuit Claims

The Louisville factory explosion resulted from an overheating cooking vessel that employees had reportedly warned the company about days prior. Despite these warnings, the equipment remained in use, culminating in the deadly event. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives concluded that poor ventilation and maintenance failures were likely to blame.

Roberts and Gomez Bridge were home during the explosion. Roberts, who was in his basement at the time, experienced shattered windows and structural damage to his home. Gomez Bridge suffered severe emotional distress as a result of the incident.

Explosion Forces Evacuations and Causes Widespread Damage

A shelter-in-place order was issued immediately following the explosion for those living within a one-mile radius of the plant, with residents in surrounding blocks ordered to evacuate. Many properties within the evacuation zone remain vacant, with some being targeted by burglars in the weeks following the blast.

“Residents both within and outside the evacuation zone have been left scrambling to find adequate housing in the midst of a tough rental and property market in the middle of the holiday season. While Givaudan has paid lip service to offering some help, class members have had to bear the brunt of the financial impact of the explosion by themselves. Givaudan has not provided compensation for the big ticket items—damage to property caused by the explosion and reasonable, long term housing,” court documents state.

Repeated Incidents Highlight Safety Concerns at Givaudan Plant

This marks the second explosion at the Louisville plant. A similar incident occurred in 2003, killing one worker. While the plant was not owned by Givaudan at that time, the lawsuit argues that the company should have been aware of the risks associated with its operations.

The plaintiffs argue that Givaudan’s failure to address known safety issues reflects a pattern of negligence. 

Other Industrial Accidents Lead to Similar Lawsuits

The Givaudan lawsuit echoes other recent class actions involving industrial negligence. In September, a chemical fire at a KIK Bio-Lab facility in Georgia prompted multiple lawsuits after the release of hazardous chlorine gas forced evacuations and caused significant health concerns for local residents.

In the Givaudan explosion lawsuit, Roberts and Gomez Bridge seek to represent all individuals within a one-mile radius of the plant and those affected by the evacuation order. They are suing for compensation for property damage, emotional trauma, and other losses. Additionally, they demand that Givaudan take immediate steps to improve safety standards and prevent future incidents.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Durand et al. v. Givaudan Flavors Corporation
• Case Number: 3:24-cv-00718
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, Louisville Division

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Aleksandr “Sasha” Litvinov and Yeremey O. Krivoshey (Smith Krivoshey, PC)
• Nicholas A. Coulson (Coulson P.C.)

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