Last week, following a four-week trial, an Alabama jury awarded boat repairman Mark Griffin a $70 million victory after he contracted flesh-eating bacteria in 2019. According to Griffin’s lawsuit, Tyson and industrial plumbing contractor Hydraservice were responsible for a large sewage spill that caused his infection.
In June 2019, Tyson’s River Valley Ingredients facility in Hanceville discharged approximately 220,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater into Mulberry Fork, a major tributary of the Black Warrior River. The spill was caused by a “mechanical failure” attributed to some temporary pipe work installed by Hydraservice.
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According to a report by AL.comGriffin lives about 30 miles from the plant. Given his profession, he has spent most of his life in the Black Warrior River, but became seriously ill after coming into contact with bacteria in the water.
Griffin contracted necrotizing fasciitis and had to undergo multiple surgeries. About seven years later, he still has an open wound and a bone infection in his hips and pelvis.
The jury awarded $25 million in compensatory damages and $45 million in punitive damages.
Griffin said he is “grateful for the jury’s decision” and hopes the verdict will prevent similar incidents in the future.
The lawsuit claimed that the local water company said the water was safe to drink. The initial lawsuit was directed at the water board, but a judge dismissed the claims before trial.
Tyson has been sued several times over the spill. The state secured a $3 million settlement with the company, at least half of which went toward remediation in local communities. More than 70 homeowners filed a separate case against Tyson and Hydraservice for loss of property value.
Tyson Foods said it was “disappointed by the outcome” and maintains that the discharge did not cause Griffin’s injuries.
Tyson Farms purchased the Hanceville facility in August 2018 and saying He has worked hard to improve and improve the location.
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