Family of Factory Worker Who Died in Hurricane Helene Flooding Sues, Claims Bosses Were Able to Leave and Survive

Mar. 15, 2025

Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn

The family of a factory worker who died in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has sued his employer and its CEO, alleging that the company did not allow employees to evacuate amid rising floodwaters, according to a lawsuit filed in a Tennessee state court, permultiplereports.

According to theTennessee Lookout, Peterson’s family is alleging in a wrongful death lawsuit that bosses at Impact Plastics in Erwin, Tenn., including CEO Gerald O’Connor, “stealthily exited the building” while telling employees that they had to remain in place, even as water began to flood the company’s staff parking lot and the only road leading out of the industrial park.

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“Based on information we’ve uncovered, including accounts from surviving employees, we believe this tragedy could have been avoided,” Zack Lawson, the family’s attorney, said in a statement to thenewspaper. “Impact Plastics was aware of the flood risks, and while employees requested permission to leave, the company failed to act. We will hold them accountable.”

Per theTennessee Lookout, O’Connor issued a statement, claiming that “he was one of the last people to leave the building that day.” In avideoposted on Oct. 3, he said, “Employees were told to leave the plant at least 45 minutes before the gigantic force of the flood hit the industrial park. There was time to escape. Employees were not told at any time that they would be fired if they left the plant.”

A representative with Impact Plastics did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

On the day of the storm, the complaint claims that managers at the company committed “reckless and negligent conduct” that led to the death of Peterson and others, theTennessee Lookoutreported. Management allegedly did not allow employees to leave the premises, even as the National Weather Service issued dire warnings about the weather and urged those in the area to evacuate to higher ground.

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Per the outlet, the complaint alleges that at around 10:30 a.m., employees were asked to move their vehicles from the flooded parking lot. When the power went out at the plant, employees were allowed to leave.

One woman,identified as Bertha Mendoza, was pronounced dead, Impact Plastics later confirmed. Other workers who died include Sibrina Barnett, Monica Hernandez and Lidia Verdugo, theNews Sentinelreported. One worker remains missing.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident,according to Tennessee Lookout.

Peterson was a floor manager who had been employed at the plant for over 35 years.

source: people.com