MINNEAPOLIS — New accusations of carelessness and incompetence are coming out two years after the explosion at Minnehaha Academy.
Five new lawsuits have been filed by Minnehaha Academy employees against CenterPoint Energy and Master Mechanical.
The explosion, in August of 2017, killed two people and injured several others. The plaintiffs in these new lawsuits include the school’s president, who says she suffered a traumatic brain injury; the school soccer coach, who had to have his leg amputated; and three other employees who say they suffered concussions and PTSD.
The lawsuits claim CenterPoint and Master Mechanical knew the work was “hazardous and abnormally dangerous” but “failed to inspect and close shut-off valves” upstream from the gas meter they were working on.
What’s more, the suits allege when the gas began to leak, the companies’ workers “realized that explosive conditions existed” but “rather than alerting building occupants…the employees…ran to save themselves.”
The companies have already settled one lawsuit with the family of one of the people killed in the explosion.
Master Mechanical issued a statement saying,
“We recognize that this is a very difficult situation for everyone involved. We have great respect for the legal process and the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board investigation, and do not want to say anything which might influence or compromise the integrity of those proceedings or violate the privacy of those involved.”
CenterPoint also issued a statement, saying,
"CenterPoint Energy has been in contact with Mr. Duffey’s attorneys and attorneys for others affected since shortly after the incident. We were aware that suits were being filed and will continue to work with their attorneys toward a resolution. Our thoughts continue to be with Mr. Duffey and all who were impacted by this incident."
