Sioux City, Iowa – An $805,000 settlement has been reached by a worker injured in a methane gas explosion at Sioux City’s Citizen’s Convenience Center in 2018. The lawsuit, filed against the city and three companies, alleged negligence in monitoring the combustible gas buildup inside the facility.
Douglas Mallette, one of the injured workers, claimed that the explosion occurred when a worker lit a hand-held lighter in the office and scale house of the Convenience Center. Mallette and another worker suffered injuries in the incident. The lawsuit, filed by Mallette and his wife, Sandra, in November 2020, highlighted the lack of proper monitoring and warning systems for methane gas within the center.
The parties named in the lawsuit included Aerionics Inc. (Macurco Gas Detection), Metro Electric Inc., and Barker Lemar and Associates, all of which were involved in the installation and monitoring of gas detectors at the site. The explosion, which occurred at the former landfill site managed by Gill Hauling, led to injuries and damages to the workers.
According to the terms of the settlement approved by the Sioux City Council, the Mallettes will receive compensation from the companies involved. The settlement, which does not imply liability, reflects the acknowledgment of the injuries sustained by Mallette and the financial responsibility of the parties involved.
Attorney Scott Hindman, representing Mallette, emphasized the lasting effects of the injuries on his client. The dismissal of the lawsuit marks the conclusion of the legal proceedings surrounding the methane gas explosion at the Citizen’s Convenience Center. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper monitoring and safety measures in industrial facilities to prevent similar accidents in the future.