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The widow of a man who died from injuries suffered in a November natural gas explosion is seeking compensation for her losses.
Valley Fresh Foods Inc. and Kralis of Mentone Inc., doing business as Kralis Brothers Foods Inc., are named as defendants in the lawsuit filed recently in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Mary Grimm, individually and as administratrix of the estate of Richard J. Grimm, is the plaintiff. The case was filed on Mary Grimm's behalf by attorney Kandi Kilkelly Hidde of Bingham McHalle LLP, Indianapolis.
Richard J. Grimm, 38, suffered burns, broken ribs, punctured lungs, a concussion and a skull fracture when he was blown off a ladder by the Nov. 2 explosion at the Kralis Brothers plant owned by Valley Fresh Foods on South Tinkey Road at Mentone. He died Nov. 13 as a result of those injuries.
On the day of the explosion, Grimm was working 10 to 15 feet up a ladder in the chicken processing plant, using a welding torch to cut old roof rafters. In the area where Grimm was cutting, the torch ignited natural gas that was being released from a rusted pipe.
The lawsuit claims wrongful death and indicates both Valley Fresh and Kralis Brothers were negligent and breached their duties by not providing a safe work area and/or failed to warn Grimm of the dangers in the work area and failed to properly inspect, maintain and/or repair natural gas pipes in the plant.
Grimm was employed by Craig Welding & Manufacturing Inc., which was hired to perform repairs and welding work at the site.
At the time of the explosion, fire officials investigating the incident said the natural gas was pocketed in a false ceiling in the area where Grimm was working to cut out the final rafter.
A specific dollar amount for compensation in the case was not noted. Losses include medical, funeral and burial expenses, loss of earnings and loss of companionship. A trial by jury is requested.
