A third lawsuit was filed this Wednesday in the wake of the catastrophic explosion at Sandman Signature Hotel in downtown Fort Worth. Eight hotel employees and two spouses of these workers have stepped forward, claiming negligence on the part of the hotel and Atmos Energy, among others, as reported by NBC DFW.
The legal action alleges that the accused parties—Atmos Energy Corp., Sandman Management (Nevada) Inc., Northland Developments Inc., and Rock Libations LP—failed to uphold safety measures, leading to the January 8th blast. Those filing suit suffered severe injuries, with accusations that prior gas leak reports were neglected by management, according to WFAA.
Ryan Zehl, an attorney with Zehl & Associates, emphasized the severity of the situation saying: "They're scared about their future. They're scared about what happened." He recounted how hotel staff had sensed the smell of gas hours before the blast, yet no decisive actions like evacuations or alarms were carried out. Instead, the hotel operated as usual until the explosion occurred, as per NBC DFW.
The victims, according to Zehl, went to work expecting normality but were instead subjected to what he described as akin to a "war zone." Many have sustained concussions and traumatic brain injuries, among other physical and neurological issues. The lawsuit also includes loss of consortium claims for two spouses of the injured employees. As stated by Zehl, the employees are fraught with uncertainty about their financial well-being and care amid the aftermath of the explosion.
While the precise cause of the explosion remains unconfirmed, a spokesperson for Atmos Energy reported their findings of no equipment faults on their part. However, Zehl & Associates are conducting their independent investigation with a cause and origin expert set to examine the site.
In response to the lawsuit, Northland Properties communicated their focus on aiding recovery efforts and providing support for their team. They have launched counseling services, regular updates, and workers' compensation claims for affected employees. "We appreciate the ongoing concern for those impacted by the incident in Fort Worth... however, we will not be commenting further on the specific assistance that we are providing as this is a confidential legal matter and we respect the privacy of those involved," according to a statement by the hotel owner, as per WFAA.
The aftermath of the explosion has seen a halt in cleanup efforts due to the ongoing lawsuits, with the Fort Worth Fire Department stating that the investigation may take months as they methodically work through the debris and engage with all parties involved.
