Workers Forced to Stay at Factory Drowned During Hurricane Helene — While CEO Snuck Out and Survived, Scathing Lawsuit Claims

New York Post ^ | Oct. 16, 2024 | Ariel Zilber

[nickcarraway]

The family of a Tennessee factory worker who was killed during Hurricane Helene is suing the company and its CEO — claiming that the bosses sneaked out of the factory to escape catastrophic weather conditions while they ordered employees to stay.

Johnny Peterson, 55, was one of two workers at Impact Plastics who are now confirmed dead in flooding that engulfed the factory in the rural town of Erwin on Sept. 27. Of 11 employees who were swept away, five were rescued and another four remain missing, according to reports.

According to an explosive lawsuit filed by Peterson’s family on Monday in Tennessee state court, the facility’s managers denied employees’ pleas to leave work as the hurricane bore down on the area

[TBP]

Teh CEO shoudl spend the rest of his life in prison.

[Fledermaus]

What kind of idiot would obey? I’d have told them to f off. Then beat them.

[Wuli]

If true, are the deaths any less wrongful than vehicilar manslaughter?

[Magnum44]

sneaked???

[Jamestown1630]

Wow.

[Jamestown1630]

Maybe people who desperately need their jobs. We’re not exactly living in an America where anyone wants - or can afford - to lose a job.

[nickcarraway]

I think they are MORE wrongful. Is it even legal to keep workers there when the sate had ordered evacuation? Don’t police check people evacuating?

[Socon-Econ]

Teh CEO shoudl spend the rest of his life in prison.
**********
Can’t you — and the NY Post — at least wait to hear the other side of this lawsuit?

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Yep. "Profiles in courage". "Leadership". NOT.

Although if I had been his employee, I would have bugged out on my own without waiting for permission.

[Jamestown1630]

So far, the ‘other side’ has no response...

[Gaffer]

I agree.....doesn’t sound right..... I think more needs to come about it from both sides. This account is just the plaintiff’s side as I read it.

[Jamestown1630]

‘Sneaked’ was in use for hundreds of years before ‘snuck’ sneaked in.

[Magnum44]

Yes, I guess its ‘kings’ English.

[desertsolitaire]

Did the state even order evacuations for this rural area not prone to flooding like this? Where would they have been able to go to?
How many other job choices were there in that small rural community if they were fired and the flooding hadn’t come?

[Fledermaus]

Enough to die?

[ProtectOurFreedom]

“What kind of idiot would obey?”

No kidding. This was clearly a “Take this job and shove it!” time.

[PerConPat]

Yep...And an employee might have needed to check on their family etc.. It wasn't stated if there was physical restraint, but that's what CCPs are for...I wouldn't work where Constitutional carry is not permitted.

[xoxox]

pretty much everyone who got out of WTC alive got out because they ignored the “stay put” advice they were said to be given building safety people.

[Tennessee Nana]

The Bruce Ismays of Hurricane Helene....