6 workers killed, multiple others injured in nitrogen leak at Prime-Pak Foods in Gainesville, Ga.

Six people were tragically killed and multiple others were hospitalized Jan. 28 due to a liquid nitrogen leak at a food processing plant in Gainesville, Ga.

Speaking with reporters, local fire and rescue authorities said they responded to a report of burns at Prime-Pak Foods, Inc., around 10 a.m. When they arrived, multiple victims were experiencing medical emergencies, authorities said. Five people died at the scene, and another person later died at a hospital. Roughly 130 employees were evaluated by medical personnel, according to media reports, and four firefighters were hospitalized due to respiratory issues. Further details on the type and extent of injuries caused by the liquid nitrogen are not yet available.

Authorities disputed initial reports of an explosion at the plant. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration, state fire marshals and other officials are investigating the cause of the leak.

“Our hearts go out to those who sadly lost their lives in this tragic accident. When workers go to their jobs every day their hope is to return safely to their families, but sadly far too many don’t make it home,” said Motley Rice attorney Kevin R. Dean. “While it’s too early to know what caused this deadly leak at Prime-Pak Foods, we hope that the families of those killed and other injured workers will soon have answers.”

Prime-Pak Foods, Inc. and Victory Processing, Inc., merged creating Foundation Food Group™, Inc.

Motley Rice attorneys have experience representing workers and victims in catastrophic workplace accidents, including the family of a man suffered a traumatic brain injury and later died due to a fall from an elevated platform at Boeing’s North Charleston, S.C., facility. The firm reached a settlement for the family of a deceased worker and several others who were injured in a 2009 explosion at a ConAgra-owned Slim Jim factory in Garner, N.C. The victims alleged the improper installation of a water heater caused natural gas to be released into the facility, causing the explosion. In addition, Motley Rice also served as lead counsel for the families of the “Fallen Nine” firefighters who died in the June 2007 Sofa Super Store fire. At the time, the tragedy was the largest loss of firefighter life since 9/11.

For more information and to discuss a potential claim, reach Kevin R. Dean, by email, or call 1.800.768.4026.