Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, Obtains Additional 2.7 Million from Airgas Doral Inc., for Families
Jun 14, 2016
The Cason Family
Weston, FL (Law Firm Newswire) June 14, 2016 – Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, announced that the firm secured an additional award from Airgas Doral, Inc., for its hazardous materials violations, this time in federal criminal court. Airgas was sentenced on May 5, 2016, on 14 felony counts to which it pled guilty, and was ordered to pay $2.7 million dollars in restitution to three families, in addition to $4.3 million dollars in fines to the federal government.
The ruling came down nearly eight years to the day after Airgas’ improper conduct caused the death of three longshoremen. On May 20, 2008, stevedores Hayman Sooknanan, James Cason, and Rene Robert Dutertre Jr., died of asphyxiation after a tank leaked argon gas in the hold of a vessel at Port Everglades. Due to argon gas being odorless, colorless and tasteless, the workers did not realize it had displaced all of the oxygen in the confined space. The corporation, under Airgas South, was the filler and shipper of the tank. Airgas Doral Inc., formerly Airgas South, Inc., is a prominent distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases throughout the United States.
“The leak would not have happened,” said David Brill, “if Airgas had simply followed the most basic of rules it was supposed to follow: a mandatory inspection of the tank, which would have taken mere minutes. Had the company done so,” Brill added, “they would have quickly and easily discovered that the tank had been tampered with and was unsafe for use, and these three gentlemen would not have died a horrific death.”
Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, represented the estate of James Cason and Mr. Cason’s six surviving children. Shortly after the tragic and wrongful death of Mr. Cason and his co-workers, Messrs. Sooknanan and Dutertre, the firm filed lawsuits in civil courts against Airgas South and a dozen other companies also at fault. Over the course of more than seven years of litigation, Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, reached confidential settlements with all of the companies the firm sued.
This recent, $2.7 million recovery occurred in the context of a criminal prosecution against Airgas brought by the United States of America. This is on top of the recoveries made over the course of seven plus years of legal action in civil courts. The two separate firms representing the Sooknanan and Dutertre estates and survivors, respectively, authorized and entrusted David Brill of Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, to lead the negotiations for securing restitution for all three victims’ estates and survivors. This required dealing with Airgas’s attorney, the Assistant United States Attorney assigned the prosecution and the U.S. probation officer assigned to the case.
“This is just the latest proof that we are relentless in our pursuit of all available recoveries for our clients who have been wronged by, and endured suffering because of, the improper conduct of others,” Brill explained. “Time and different forums don’t pose barriers to our efforts to help our clients realize the justice they so richly deserve. Our firm’s motto says it all: For People. For Justice.”
About Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm
Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, is a leading law firm in Florida focusing on personal injury and wrongful death cases. The attorneys at Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, have taken action on behalf of victims and their loved ones who have suffered from the wrongdoing of others, whether on land or water, including: automobile accidents, mishaps on ships, inclusive of cruise ships, medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, on-the-job incidents and more.
With a strong passion for the law, and a steadfast commitment to offering sound counsel and personal attention to clients, Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, approaches each case by concentrating on their client’s objectives, while constructing strategic solutions for success. For more information regarding Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm, please call toll free 855-BR4-LAWS.
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