Industrial Accident Lawsuit Over Furnace Explosion Results in $12.7M Verdict

A Pennsylvania jury awarded $12.7 million to two men who were severely burned when a metal melting furnace exploded in 2003. 

The industrial accident lawsuit was filed by Rudolph Andrew Paci, 45, and James Clyde Sutch, 44. Both men worked as melters at Ametek Specialty Metal Products in North Strabane when the specialty metals furnace blew on September 2, 2003, spraying the men with molten metal. The complaint named the manufacturers of the furnace as defendants, including Inductotherm Group, Allied Minerals and Vesuvius USA Corp.

The furnace explosion occurred when the liner failed, allowing molten metal to come into contact with a copper coil filled with ethylene-glycol and water. The resulting reaction caused the furnace to explode and spew hot liquid metal across the workplace.

Paci suffered burns over 65 percent of his body and has disfigurements over 95 percent of his body, according to the lawsuit. He was in a coma for two months after the accident. The sweat and oil glands in his skin were destroyed and he is no longer able to regulate his body’s temperature or skin moisture. He is unable to work.

Sutch received burns across 22 percent of his body and suffers disfigurement across 33 percent. However, he was eventually able to return to work. Both men will have health problems for the rest of their lives due to the accident, the lawsuit contended.

According to a report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Washington County jury awarded $9.6 million to Paci, and $80,000 to his wife, Jennifer. Sutch was awarded $3 million and his wife, Michelle, was awarded $50,000. The jurors attributed 50% of the liability to Inductotherm and 25% each of the liability to Allied Minerals and Vesuvius USA Corp.; the two companies that made the lining of the furnace.