Class-action lawsuit targets Smitty’s for facility explosion

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — It’s a nine-page class-action lawsuit alleging Smitty’s Supply Inc. failed to properly maintain its facility and negligently stored hazardous petroleum and chemical products.

The law firm states that these failures led to the fire, resulting in toxic smoke, soot and debris and covering the surrounding community.

“This fire was of course of no fault of the affected people in this community and that they’re going to have claims related to their losses from being forced to being evacuated. There’s also health concerns as well,” Berniard Law Firm attorney Jeff Berniard said.

As of now, the class action is available for all Louisiana residents, Smitty workers included, who have been affected.

“It’s absolutely fundamentally important that you know that everyone is made whole and that there are no questions left to answer at the end of this litigation,” Berniard said.

A case of this nature often takes about two years to resolve according to Berniard, but he believes this case may resolved sooner.

“With the facts being as we see them right now, we think this is something that we can get resolved much quicker based on the fact that it’s a single entity that seems to have caused this harm and that the harm is pretty evident,” Berniard said.

While the pool of clients is already large, the firm is still taking new ones for the case.

“They can call my office or get in touch with me at Getjeff.com is my website, and we’ll be happy to talk with anyone that’s been affected and help them out,” Berniard said.

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