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Deadly Ford/Rouge Plant Explosion Yields Third Suit

11 June 1999

Mantese Miller and Mantese, P.L.L.C.: Deadly Ford/Rouge Plant Explosion Yields Third Suit Alleging Reckless Management Practices

    TROY, Mich., June 10 -- Injured worker, Ralph Irvin, today
has filed suit against Rouge Steel Company in connection with the February 1,
1999 explosion at the Ford Power Plant that claimed six lives.  The suit was
filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, Detroit, Michigan.  The suit alleges that
Rouge Steel was a co-owner of the plant and had responsibility for safety and
maintenance at the plant, announces Mantese Miller and Mantese, P.L.L.C.
    The suit alleges that Irvin was severely injured due to the negligent and
reckless management practices of Rouge Steel.  Irvin, age 53, suffered
extensive burns over 50% of his body including his face, eyelids, ears, neck,
wrists and hands.  The explosion has also had an enormous psychological impact
on Mr. Irvin.  Irvin lives in Detroit, Michigan.
    "Irvin heard at least three explosions while fleeing for safety," said his
attorney, Gerard Mantese.  After the explosion, Mr. Irvin waited approximately
two hours before being taken away in the ambulance.
    The lawsuit was filed by the firm of Mantese, Miller and Mantese, P.L.L.C.
in Troy, Michigan.  This is the third case filed by the Troy firm related to
the Rouge Plant explosion.  Gerard Mantese, lead counsel on the case, stated,
"The maintenance practices at the Rouge Plant were atrocious.  This bad
situation was made worse by the fact that management drastically limited, and
at times, completely disallowed any overtime work by maintenance personnel for
approximately one year prior to the explosion."  Mantese also stated, "Certain
required inspections and maintenance operations went unperformed year after
year.  For example, at least one MIOSHA document criticized management for
failing to perform certain required safety and maintenance operations for 12
years."  Mr. Mantese, stated further, "The more information we gather, the
more it appears that this tragic explosion could have been avoided."