New Orleans Terminal Yard workers sue for alleged exposure to dangerous chemicals

NEW ORLEANS – Four workers at the New Orleans Terminal Yard are suing a trucking company and the manufacturer of the chemicals that it was carrying after they were allegedly exposed to toxic substances while on the job and suffered serious injury.

Morris Ambrosia, Roy Galloway, Joseph Pravata III and Glenn Paul filed suit against Zurich American Insurance Company, Galata Chemicals LLC, AIG Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Boasso America Corporation and an unknown employee in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on March 12.

The plaintiffs assert that they were working in the New Orleans Terminal Yard on March 18, 2014, when due to negligence on part of the defendants, toxic and hazardous gas was released from an intermodal truck and the plaintiffs were overcome by toxic and hazardous gas. The plaintiffs all claim to have suffered both temporary and permanent physical damages after inhaling quantities of the material as well as mental anguish and distress.

The defendants are accused of failing to use reasonable care in the handling and discharge of the toxic gas, failing to provide protection against its effects, failing to warn the petitioners and others of the dangerous condition and committing assault and battery to the bodies of the petitioners in exposing them to the gas.

The plaintiffs individually seek an unspecified amount in damages for physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional anguish, medical expenses and loss of enjoyment of life.

The plaintiffs are represented by Jon M. Yeager, Anthony V. Lanasa and Mark G. Tauzier of Hammond-based Yeager Lanasa Tauzier LLC.

This case has been assigned to Division M Judge Paulette R. Irons.

Case no. 2015-02300.