Waukegan factory explosion

Waukegan Factory Explosion Leaves Four Workers Dead

Waukegan factory explosionA Waukegan factory explosion has left four workers dead and multiple others injured. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the explosion at the Lake County silicone plant.

Neighbors Felt “Ground Shaking”

On May 3, 2019, at around 9:45 p.m., the AB Specialty Silicones plant exploded in Waukegan, IL. The Waukegan factory explosion was so intense that the nearby residents complained about the ground rumbling, prompting a response from the Waukegan Fire Department. By 10:00 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued a social media alert stating that “we are aware of a very loud explosion sound and ground shaking in the Gurnee area. We are working to determine the cause.”

Authorities said nine workers were in the building at the time of the Waukegan factory explosion. Four were rushed to area hospitals, including Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, where one victim, a 29-year-old second-shift chemical operator and company part-owner from Paddock Lake, WI, died the following morning.

Three other employees were reported missing that night and presumed killed. Two were found dead at the scene later that weekend, including a 57-year-old third-shift production supervisor from Kenosha and a 53-year-old second-shift production supervisor and part-owner from Union Grove, WI.

On Tuesday night, May 7, responders found the remains of a fourth worker, who was identified as a 24-year-old quality control chemist from Beach Park, IL.

Waukegan Factory Explosion Investigation Continues

The discovery of the fourth deceased worker has shifted the focus of investigators away from the scene and towards the cause of the Waukegan factory explosion, according to the city’s Fire Marshal.

The AB Specialty Silicones plant site will be left intact for the time being in the event that federal agencies need more evidence from the scene. The Waukegan Fire Department has reportedly already recovered the material it requires and is examining it offsite. While the investigation remains ongoing, the Fire Marshal said that the Waukegan factory explosion appeared accidental, with no foul play suspected.

A memorial service for the four workers killed in the Waukegan factory explosion was held at AB Specialty Silicones on May 10. In addition to the loss of life, the blast caused an estimated $1 million in property damage and was reportedly felt as far away as Buffalo Grove.

Illinois Factory Explosion Attorneys

Pursuing litigation for injuries or wrongful death incurred in a factory explosion is rarely a simple matter. It demands comprehensive knowledge not only of the applicable law but also of the industry. Large multi-million-dollar companies have vast resources available to fight factory explosion cases, and years of experience doing so, all to make sure they pay the injured as little as possible. Multiple parties may also be involved in a factory explosion, and failure to identify and pursue everyone responsible in a timely fashion could forever bar an injured person from obtaining fair financial compensation.

Given these challenges, it is important to choose the right attorney to assist you in your time of need, such as the personal injury attorneys at GWC Injury Lawyers.

With over $2 billion recovered for our clients and more than four decades in the business, GWC is one of the leading Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation law firms in Illinois. We have the experience and the proven record of success you need to help you and your family get the justice you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a factory explosion, please contact GWC today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our attorneys. Call our office at (312) 464-1234 or click here to chat with a representative at any time.

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