Key facts
- More than 30 lawsuits have been filed against GKN Aerospace.
- The lawsuits stem from an incident where a chemical tank overheated, threatening an explosion.
- Approximately 50,000 residents in Orange County, California, were evacuated.
- Plaintiffs allege negligence and seek damages for health issues, financial losses, and emotional distress.
- The FBI and EPA are investigating the incident for potential federal environmental crimes.
GKN Aerospace is facing a wave of over 30 lawsuits following an incident last month where a tank containing methyl methacrylate, a highly flammable chemical, overheated at its facility in Garden Grove, California. The incident threatened a catastrophic explosion and forced the evacuation of approximately 50,000 residents in Orange County.
Plaintiffs, including individuals and local businesses, allege that the U.K.-based company was negligent in maintaining a safe facility, especially given its location in a populated area. Residents reported experiencing nausea, headaches, difficulty breathing, and vomiting, while businesses suffered significant revenue losses due to forced closures and reduced customer traffic over the Memorial Day weekend.
Ten of the cases have been filed as class actions in federal court, with an additional 21 cases in state court. Legal experts anticipate that the federal cases will likely be consolidated, and state cases may be moved to federal court for efficiency.
Adding pressure on the company, FBI agents served a search warrant at the GKN Aerospace facility to collect documents related to the storage, use, or disposal of methyl methacrylate. The Environmental Protection Agency has also joined the investigation into potential federal environmental crimes. GKN Aerospace has stated it is cooperating with federal authorities. The company's senior vice president expressed apologies for the event and acknowledged the company's long history in the community.