The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) A truck driver is seeking $75 million in damages from Smurfit Westrock, alleging severe injuries and permanent deformities resulting from a chemical exposure incident at the company’s paper mill in January. Gregory Milam, who was delivering caustic soda for Usher Transport, claims the paper mill’s emergency safety equipment was improperly maintained and some parts were even non-functional during delivery on January 21 when temperatures in the Alleghany Highlands were around negative three degrees Celsius.
According to the lawsuit, Milam alleges that a Smurfit Westrock employee improperly attempted to unfreeze a delivery valve by forcing pressurized steam through a chemical hose. The hose reportedly ruptured, spraying hot steam and caustic chemicals across the majority of Milam’s body. The lawsuit further contends that critical safety infrastructure failed during the incident.
An emergency eye wash station was allegedly completely frozen, preventing
any water from escaping its nozzles, and an emergency shower is said to have lacked sufficient water pressure, preventing Milam from being able to immediately decontaminate his body.
Milam argues that the 126-year-old paper mill’s practices, including using steam to thaw frozen valves and failing to flush chemical delivery hoses between deliveries, demonstrated negligence.
The legal filing demands a jury trial and seeks $75 million in damages for serious and permanent injuries. Smurfit Westrock has not responded to requests for comments.
The case highlights potential safety concerns in industrial chemical handling procedures.
