LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The family of a man killed following the explosion at a Louisville factory has retained nationally renowned attorneys.
Attorneys Ben Crump, Mark Lanier and Lonita Baker will represent the family of Kevin Dawson Jr., one of the victims of the catastrophic explosion at Givaudan Sense Colour on Nov. 12.
The explosion killed one other person, injured 11 employees and caused a partial collapse of the building on Payne Street in the Clifton neighborhood.
In a Sunday news release, the attorneys say they are “committed to seeking justice and accountability for Kevin, his family and the entire community.”
“The devastating explosion at the Givaudan plant has upended and destroyed lives, leaving families grieving and survivors struggling to recover. Early reports suggest serious safety lapses and ignored warnings that endangered employees and the community. We will fight tirelessly to uncover the truth and hold those responsible accountable,” Crump said in a statement.
Residents who live near the plant had long complained about ammonia-like odors and the Louisville Air Pollution Control District has cited the factory on two separate occasions.
There were two previous incidents at the plant while it was under the ownership of D.D. Williamson.
In April 2003, a tank exploded and killed one worker. Investigators concluded the tank exploded because of a missing pressure relief valve which had been removed when it was moved to the Louisville plant in 1989.
D.D. Williamson paid $600,000 in fines to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District to resolve allegations of Clean Water Act violations in 2009.
Neighbors are demanding the Swiss-based company to pay up for damages from the explosion.
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the blast.
A press conference with Dawson’s family and the attorneys is set for Monday at 12:30 p.m.
Crump has represented high-profile cases including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tyree Nichols, Michael Brown and Rhyker Earl in northwest Indiana.
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