West Files Suit over Fertilizer Plant Explosion |
| The city of West, Texas, has filed a lawsuit against the owner of the fertilizer plant that exploded in April, killing 15 people and resulting in millions of dollars in property damage. The lawsuit claims the ammonium nitrate in the plant was "unreasonably dangerous and defective and was negligently stored. The city has estimated it has more than $17 million in uninsured losses from the explosion. Brenda Bell, Austin American Statesman 06/27/2013 | Read Article: Austin American Statesman |
Suit: AA Meetings Attract Sexual Predators |
| A lawsuit has been filed against the non-profit organization Alcoholics Anonymous claiming the group attracts people who exploit others sexually and financially. The suit was filed on behalf of a woman who was killed by a fellow AA participant. The suit says AA has a "reckless disregard for, and deliberate indifference…to the safety and security of victims attending AA meetings." Martha Neil, American Bar Association Journal 06/27/2013 | Read Article: American Bar Association Journal |
Girl Abused by Teacher Awarded $5.6 Million |
| A Los Angeles jury has awarded $5.6 million to a teenaged girl who was sexually abused by a teacher at Chino Hills High School. The lawsuit contended that district officials discovered the teacher had sent inappropriate e-mails to the student and did nothing to protect the victim or keep the teacher away from her. Richard Winton, LA Times 06/26/2013 | Read Article: LA Times |
Mitsubishi Recalls Outlander Sport SUVs from 2011 |
| Mitsubishi Motors Corp has issued a recall of almost 3,200 Outlander Sport SUVs due to a defect with the car's glass roof. The company found that the 2011 model-year vehicles have glass ceilings that can unexpectedly detach due to primer not being properly used in the installation process. There have been two complaints of the glass detaching from customers outside the U.S., but no injuries have been reported. Staff Report, Yahoo News 06/27/2013 | Read Article: Yahoo News |
Experts: West Fertilizer Blast Could Have Been Prevented |
| Even without new regulations, April’s deadly fertilizer blast in Texas could have been averted, chemical safety experts told a Senate committee Thursday. The dangers of storing explosive material in wooden containers and buildings are well known. Various fire codes and industry standards call for sprinklers. Proximity to homes and schools added to the risk. And 11 years have passed since the federal agency that investigates industrial accidents urged the Environmental Protection Agency to add ammonium nitrate — the substance that detonated in West — to a list of hazards requiring a local emergency plan. Thursday’s 90-minute hearing was Congress’ first look at the April 17 blast, which registered as a small earthquake, left a 10-foot-deep crater, killed 15 people and destroyed a section of the small Central Texas town. TODD J. GILLMAN , The Dallas Morning News 06/28/2013 | Read Article: The Dallas Morning News |
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