Following her son's death while he was employed at a Mississippi-based Omega Protein plant that produces omega-3 fish oil and specialty fish-meal products, Cynthia Hebert has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company, seeking compensatory and punitive damages.
According to the Sun Herald, a local media outlet, the incident occurred on April 9, 2012. Christopher Hebert, who had worked for the plant for three years, was dragged into a conveyor after following an order from his supervisor. The source notes that the victim had been assigned a new safety watchperson to aid him in completing the assignment.
"This new 'safety' watchperson was not the same watchperson Christopher partnered with normally," states the complaint. "At the time Christopher began his work, the single screw conveyor equipment remained energized and operational," without him knowing that it was on. "While Christopher was inside the single screw conveyor," it continues, "his safety watchperson left without notifying Christopher."
The victim was allegedly dragged into the machine feet-first and began screaming for help. When his coworkers arrived at the conveyor, it was too late. The autopsy report revealed that Hebert died of massive blood loss.
Before the fatal incident occurred, Hebert had attempted to bring attention to the plant's unsafe work conditions, but his efforts to unionize employees were met with "harsh resistance" from the management, according to the complaint.
If one of your family members has died as a result of a business's negligent behavior and you live in Missouri, consider finding a personal injury lawyer that will work hard on your behalf. These experienced and locally based professionals can assess your claim, try your case in court and help you recover damages you may be entitled to.