MOUNDSVILLE – An Elkview industrial painting company and one of its employees are seeking damages from the operators of a New Martinsville facility after two chlorine gas leaks alleged harmed equipment and caused injuries.
IPI Inc. and Matthew Joseph Taylor filed a complaint Jan. 29 in Marshall Circuit Court against Axiall Corp., Eagle Natrium LLC, Westlake Corp. and Charles "Chuck" Zeigler alleging strict liability, fraud and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that as a result of the chlorine leaks that occurred at defendants' New Martinsville facility on Aug. 27, 2016, and on Oct. 8, 2016, plaintiff Taylor inhaled chlorine gas that injured him and IPI's equipment was extremely oxidized.
The plaintiffs hold Axiall Corp., Eagle Natrium LLC, Westlake Corp. and Zeigler responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to maintain a safe environment and misrepresented the size and magnitude of the first leak.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek all damages that are appropriate, plus interest, costs, attorney's fees and all further relief as the court may deem just and proper. They are represented by Kenneth E. Webb Jr. and Patrick C. Timony of Bowles Rice LLP in Charleston. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Jeffrey Cramer.
Marshall Circuit Court case number 18-C-14