Estates sue over fatal Struthers plant explosion

March 3, 2014 at 8:03p.m.

STRUTHERS

Executors of the estates of Ken Stiver and Gary Wilson have filed a lawsuit against 10 companies and corporations — including the city of Struthers — they say are responsible for the March 1, 2012, waste-treatment plant explosion that resulted in the men’s deaths.

The lawsuit, which also involves 20 other parties not named, was filed Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by the widows Christine M. Stiver and Julia E. Wilson, represented by Brian Kopp and Renee M. DiSalvo of Betras, Kopp & Harshman LLC.

“These families endured a horrific tragedy that was entirely preventable ... had there been the proper design and safety precautions taken,” Kopp said. “Had the proper steps been taken, these two men would still be with us, with their families.”

Kopp declined to comment on the amount sought by the lawsuit, though it requests “compensatory damages for the plaintiffs,” in excess of $25,000.